The New Orleans Saints are at a crossroads. After a disastrous 5-12 season that landed them the No. 9 general choose within the 2025 NFL Draft, the group is in dire want of main upgrades at a number of positions.
Whereas quarterback Derek Carr was purported to carry stability, his first two years in New Orleans introduced blended outcomes. Now, with potential franchise-altering choices on the horizon, some are speculating that the Saints could also be making ready to maneuver on from Carr and go in a totally completely different path.
With dynamic QB prospects like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward probably obtainable, the Saints have an actual alternative to reshape their future. Nonetheless, the newest reviews counsel that as an alternative of committing to a rookie instantly, New Orleans could look to herald a longtime expertise … one who nonetheless has untapped potential.
A New Path? New Orleans Saints Linked to Justin Fields
In accordance with ESPN’s Seth Walder, if the Saints can discover a option to escape Carr’s contract, they need to go all-in on a rebuild and prioritize buying youthful quarterbacks with upside. One title that has emerged as a attainable goal is Justin Fields.
“Assuming it could actually keep away from paying that $30 million to Carr, New Orleans should embrace a full rebuild—which suggests enjoying gamers with future upside,” Walder wrote.
“Fields and a rookie might make sense in that context. There’s nonetheless a risk Fields can kick his stage of play up a notch and if not, a mid-round rookie can get some run. My solely hesitation is that even Fields may be too costly for the Saints given how tough their wage cap scenario is. New Orleans should cease doling out cash and concentrate on a clear slate for 2027, as it’ll doubtless want a number of years to filter out its cap points.”
Fields, who accounted for 64 whole touchdowns in his first 4 seasons as a professional (three seasons with the Chicago Bears and one with the Pittsburgh Steelers), stays an intriguing possibility for QB-needy groups.
Fields’ dual-threat means and untapped ceiling make him a compelling bridge quarterback — and presumably even a long-term reply — if paired with the best offensive scheme.
A Contradiction to the Saints’ Public Stance on Derek Carr
Whereas rumors a couple of potential Saints-Fields connection proceed to realize steam, they immediately contradict what the group’s entrance workplace has been saying about Carr’s future. Common supervisor Mickey Loomis has repeatedly acknowledged that New Orleans stays dedicated to Carr as its starter in 2025.
“I believe we really feel like we’ve acquired a man we are able to win with,” Loomis stated on the NFL Scouting Mix. “We’re enthusiastic about it.”
Loomis’ feedback had been the strongest endorsement Carr has acquired this offseason, much more definitive than head coach Kellen Moore’s remarks weeks earlier. At Moore’s introductory press convention, he praised Carr’s means however stopped wanting naming him the clear-cut starter.
The Monetary Actuality of Carr’s Contract
Whereas the Saints are saying all the best issues publicly, the monetary facet of Carr’s deal stays a significant hurdle. His $51.5 million cap hit in 2025 places New Orleans in a precarious place, as they’re already among the many most cap-strapped groups within the NFL.
With free company and the draft approaching, the Saints’ QB scenario is shaping as much as be probably the most intriguing storylines of the offseason.
MORE: Simulate the NFL Offseason With PFSN’s Offseason Supervisor
The Saints’ face a number of hurdles on the subject of their cap scenario. They’re lifeless final within the NFL in efficient cap house, per Over The Cap, with almost -$53 million in projected house heading into the offseason.
Surprisingly, New Orleans solely has two gamers going through cap hits north of $20 million in 2025: Carr ($51.5 million) and move rusher Cameron Jordan ($20.06 million), although he might retire earlier than the beginning of the season. Moreover, solely two different gamers face hits of $15+ million (Erik McCoy and Taysom Hill).
Nonetheless, the Saints are paying greater than $48 million in lifeless cash to gamers not on their group: cornerback Marshon Lattimore ($31.7 million), large receiver Michael Thomas ($9.2 million), and quarterback Jameis Winston ($7.4 million). Consequently, drastic strikes must be made, setting the Saints up for a probably tough 2025.
How Does Carr Stack Up With Different Out there Choices?
Moreover, contract apart, Carr has carried out favorably in New Orleans regardless of the group’s 14-20 document over the past two seasons. He ranked eleventh in PFSN’s QB+ metric, the next rating than Fields, who performed simply half the 2024 season.
“The New Orleans Saints have definitely felt Derek Carr’s absence this season. They had been 5-5 in video games the place he performed and 0-7 in video games he didn’t — all 5 wins got here in video games wherein Carr certified for a QB+ grade,” PFSN’s Ben Rolfe stated in PFSN’s QB+ rankings.
“Regardless of the turmoil across the group, 2024 was Carr’s finest yr in New Orleans. He ranked eleventh in EPA/DB (0.11) and completed the yr twelfth when working below stress (-0.20 EPA/DB). Carr was additionally ninth in TD/INT charge (3.0) and inside the highest 10 for nYPA (7.5; sixth), albeit with a Tenth-ranked 5.8 YAC/Cp.”
QB+ grade (rating), 2024:
Carr: 83.3, B (eleventh within the NFL)
Fields: 78.1, C+ (N/A, didn’t qualify)
Spencer Rattler: 50.0, F (thirty eighth)
If the Saints do resolve to begin over and search for a brand new QB within the NFL Draft as an alternative, they could look within the center rounds to take action. In PFSN’s newest 2025 NFL Mock Draft by Jacob Infante, New Orleans chosen Missouri QB Brady Prepare dinner at No. 254 within the seventh spherical.
Whereas he would doubtless not be a substitute for what the Saints at the moment have (Carr, Rattler, and Jake Haener), he might add additional depth in case issues go south once more like in 2024.
