A new head coach doesn't appear to mean a new starting quarterback in New Orleans.
After several talks with Derek Carr about his 2025 compensation, the Saints are converting most of his salary this year into a signing bonus, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Saturday.
Considering Carr is now set to make his full $40 million salary in 2025, Garafolo added that New Orleans' conversion indicates the team intends to move forward with him as QB1 for the upcoming season.
The decision echoes what general manager Mickey Loomis said on Feb. 26 at the NFL Scouting Combine: The Saints believe they have a quarterback they can win with.
While that may eventually prove true, Carr has not won enough since coming to New Orleans in 2023. He's gone 14-13 over two seasons as the Saints' starter, narrowly missing the playoffs with a 9-8 record his first year and going .500 but sitting seven games due to injuries in his second.
However, plenty of the team's struggles have been out of his control. He helmed a top-10 scoring offense in 2023. Last season, the Saints were off to a torrid start, scoring 40-plus points in each of their first two games before being sabotaged by a torrent of injuries.
His wide receiving corps also leaves much to be desired. Of the team's top five receptions leaders last season, only one was a wideout -- Chris Olave -- and he played just eight games. Running back Alvin Kamara led the way, while the rest of the group was filled out by tight ends.
It's unclear, though, what weapons New Orleans can afford to better that situation immediately. The Saints, one of four teams in the negative, per Over the Cap, still have work to do to become cap compliant by the start of the new league year on March 12.
A four-time Pro Bowler, Carr is exactly the type of veteran who can help an offense stay above water as the club continues to sort through its financials. The Saints will also be hopeful new offensive-minded head coach Kellen Moore, fresh off coordinating the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl victory, can help elevate Carr and Co. to yet greater heights.
With many moving parts at QB still to be settled around the league, Carr appears to be New Orleans' way forward.
