Well, well, well, this wasn’t part of the script. When Kellen Moore took the Saints job, he probably imagined a clean slate. Maybe even drew up some plays in his head with a healthy Derek Carr slinging it deep to Chris Olave. What started as a quiet endorsement of Carr — “We feel really good about Derek,” Moore said last month — now feels like trying to sell a used car with a busted transmission. And surprise: that engine light? It’s a shoulder.
Fast forward to April, and Carr’s “just vibes” status is officially gone. The 33-year-old QB is now dealing with a shoulder injury that could sideline him for a chunk — or all — of 2025. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport dropped the update like a surprise onside kick: “Carr is weighing options, including the possibility of surgery.”
Translation? Moore’s first training camp might include more Rattler reps than he ever dreamed of. And Saints fans? Yeah, they’re probably dreaming of anyone but Rattler under center after that brutal 0-7 stretch last year.
Meanwhile, here’s where it gets messier. Carr’s $40 million in 2024 was fully guaranteed. Cut him? Doesn’t matter. That’s a cool $20.4 million hitting the cap no matter what. The Saints restructured his contract just a few months ago, converting most of his salary into a signing bonus, effectively tying their future to his health — or lack of it.
Unless we find out about any possible non-football injury designations, Carr’s $40M this year was already fully guaranteed, regardless of injury. So there’s no money or cap savings if Saints cut him, even after June 1
He will continue to count $20.462M against the cap this year https://t.co/flfTyZjOhf
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) April 11, 2025
Now he’s not only untradeable, he’s unbenchable… and possibly unplayable. It’s like locking in your fantasy QB early, only to find out he’s out with a mystery ailment by week 1. And this wasn’t just a one-off bet. The Saints doubled down on Carr after a 10-game, injury-riddled season. He threw for just over 2,100 yards and 15 touchdowns, missing time with hand and oblique issues. But then his backup isn’t a reliable option, either. Spencer Rattler looked more deer-in-headlights than NFL-ready. The result? A six-game losing streak, Dennis Allen’s pink slip, and a whole lot of regret. As much as New Orleans was rooting for the Carr era, it’s falling apart like a domino.
However, let’s not forget — this is only Year Three of Carr’s four-year, $150 million deal. His cap hit jumps to $69.2 million in 2026 (yes, you read that right), with void years that stretch all the way to 2029. That’s a whole lot of money tied to a shoulder that might need surgery. So yeah, Carr’s a Saint… for better or (a very expensive) worse. And Moore? He’s got a new offense to build… without knowing who’s going to throw the football.
Maybe Kellen Moore could do with a wildcard pick at No. 9
So here’s where things get real for the Saints. Free agency? Basically cleaned out. Russell Wilson’s headed to Pittsburgh, Jameis Winston’s off the table, and even Joe Flacco has found himself a home. Unless Aaron Rodgers suddenly wants to sip beignets in the bayou, the Saints are staring down a very real quarterback crisis with no clear bailout in sight. We’ve got to feel for Kellen Moore? The guy just walked into his first NFL head coaching gig… only to realize his QB room is a budget trap with duct tape at the seams.
Then there’s Deion. During such a crisis, Coach Prime wants to play a teasing game with New Orleans as he added just a little eyeball emoji over a tweet about the Saints’ No. 9 draft pick. No words, just vibes. But the message? Loud and clear. “I see y’all.” And maybe, just maybe, he sees his guy—Shedeur Sanders—landing in New Orleans.
Now, Adam Schefter already called the Saints a “wild card” for Shedeur. But with Derek Carr’s shoulder injury, it seems like more of a necessity than a wildcard. Let’s look at the depth chart. Spencer Rattler? Jake Haener? Ben DiNucci? They’ve got a combined 0-8 record as starters. That’s not a quarterback room—it’s an escape room with no clues.
On the other hand, there’s Sanders. Who’s stock has fallen a lot, but c’mon, he’s still a round 1 QB. He threw for over 4,100 yards, 37 touchdowns, only 10 picks. A 74% completion rate. That’s surgical.
Meanwhile, Moore? He’s the kind of coach who could make this work. Known for his aggressive, pass-heavy style, he ran a similar offense in Dallas and LA. Shedeur’s used to that kind of scheme. It’s not a copy-paste fit, but it’s close enough to imagine the possibilities.
Odds are already swinging. DraftKings had New Orleans at +300 to land Shedeur. Now? They’ve surged to -130. Fans think it’s happening. And Deion? He’s watching. So maybe, just maybe, Kellen Moore should lean into the chaos.
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