The New Orleans Saints are entering the offseason in a challenging position after appointing Kellen Moore as their head coach. Following a disappointing 5-12 season, their biggest hurdle is being significantly over the salary cap for 2025.
One potential way to free up some financial flexibility is by parting ways with Derek Carr, who carries a massive $51.4 million cap hit in 2025. If designated as a post-June 1 cut, the team could save $30 million, though it would still leave a $21.4 million dead cap charge.
Alternatively, restructuring Carr’s contract could provide even greater cap relief, especially if both parties can agree on a solution—possibly including a trade. Regardless, the Saints must explore all possibilities, including finding a more budget-friendly starting quarterback.
ESPN predicts New Orleans Saints to oust Derek Carr, sign Justin Fields
The New Orleans Saints will need to get creative to address their salary cap issues this offseason, which will likely mean parting ways with talented players they’d rather keep.
One potential move could involve moving on from Derek Carr, despite his status as a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback. However, the Saints are hesitant to rely on Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener as their full-time starter in 2025, especially after that approach resulted in an 0-7 record last season.
If the Saints do decide to part ways with Carr, who could take his place? According to ESPN’s Seth Walder, they might look to sign Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields.
“Carr is owed a fully guaranteed $10 million roster bonus and a non-guaranteed $30 million salary. The former is a sunk cost for the Saints, but the latter can and absolutely should be saved.
Holding Carr’s $30 million salary on the cap until June 1, which is what the Saints will have to do even if they designate him as a post-June 1 release, will be a challenge.
Assuming New Orleans can avoid paying that $30 million to Carr, it ought to embrace a full rebuild — which means playing players with future upside. Fields and a rookie could make sense in that context. There’s still a possibility Fields can kick his level of play up a notch, and, if not, a midround rookie can get some run. My only hesitation is that even Fields might be too expensive for the Saints, given how rough their salary cap situation is.”
The New Orleans Saints will need to get creative to address their salary cap issues this offseason, which will likely mean parting ways with talented players they’d rather keep.
One potential move could involve moving on from Derek Carr, despite his status as a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback. However, the Saints are hesitant to rely on Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener as their full-time starter in 2025, especially after that approach resulted in an 0-7 record last season.
If the Saints do decide to part ways with Carr, who could take his place? According to ESPN’s Seth Walder, they might look to sign Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields.
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