Saints draft impacted by lack of clarity on Carr’s future
04/24/2025
By Ross Jackson
The situation brewing between the New Orleans Saints and quarterback Derek Carr is just as murky as it has been all offseason.
From not being present around the city during big events to not being completely silent on his new head coach, Kellen Moore, Carr has been missing in action for the Saints all the way up and through the start of offseason workouts.
General manager Mickey Loomis confirmed that Carr is dealing with a shoulder issue in his pre-draft press conference on Wednesday. While early reports suggest that the issue could be season-threatening for Carr, Loomis shared that the team currently has no clarity or resolution at this time, though they hope to have it soon.
Whether a play for draft secrecy or not, the situation is sure to have an impact on the selection process, which begins Thursday evening.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the situation is not expected to clear up before the picks begin. This leaves question marks around the team’s most important position ahead of one of its more important opportunities to improve.
To many that would create the expectation that the Saints should invest highly in quarterback, which some betting odds are reflecting.
But where New Orleans will go from here still sounds uncertain.
Perhaps the best course of action is to assume that Carr will not be with the team, and act accordingly. Even when he was expected to start in 2025, a 2026 split felt likely to follow.
Loomis said on Wednesday that the team’s plans won’t be impacted by the shrouded future of Carr, which could mean two things.
That either the Saints are holding out hope that everything’s going to work out and Carr will be their starter in 2025, which seems increasingly unlikely.
There is a growing sentiment that this relationship is … not in a good place. Let’s put it that way. https://t.co/UbXo6vUXRN
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) April 23, 2025
Or the Saints were already planning on finding his successor in the first place. Either from an option inside the building or via the draft.
“You always want to take swings and develop the position,” Loomis said, referencing quarterback. “That’s good business. I think the thing that you have to really resist is overdrafting one. And taking someone way sooner because that’s opportunity cost, right?”