The status of Saints quarterback Derek Carr remains a little uncertain, following New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis meeting with reporters on Wednesday.
Loomis confirmed that Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury, but also that the team is hoping to gain further clarity about the severity. He then shut down follow-up questions, saying, “I’m not going to answer any more questions about Derek.”
Reports broke earlier this month that Carr was dealing with a shoulder injury and mulling surgery, putting his availability for 2025 in question. The Saints had previously opted not to release or trade Carr this offseason, restructuring his contract instead.
Carr’s injury news has led to additional speculation that the Saints could add a quarterback to bolster the position, potentially through the NFL draft this weekend.
The Saints hold the rights to the No. 9 overall selection and have been connected to quarterback prospects Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) and Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss).
For his part, Loomis said the team’s draft strategy would be unaffected by Carr’s injury, saying the position was an important one for the team to do thorough research on regardless.
Still, when asked whether the Saints’ 2025 starter at the position is currently on the roster, Loomis immediately brushed aside that line of questioning.
“I’m not going to answer that right now because that will lead to a lot of speculation one way or the other.”
The Saints return Spencer Rattler, who started six games as a rookie last fall, as well as third-year veteran Jake Haener, who earned one start a season ago. Neither had a passer rating above 70.4. Rattler was sacked 22 times.
Adding to the bad news, Loomis also suggested that the team could be without reserve tight end/quarterback Taysom Hill for some time following the player’s serious knee injury (ACL tear) late last year.
Observers shouldn’t necessarily count on the Saints adding a quarterback early in the draft, however, as Loomis noted that he and head coach Kellen Moore are “aligned” on a commitment to building the offensive and defensive lines first.
Carr, 34, is 14-13 as the starter in New Orleans over two seasons, though he was limited to 10 games in 2024 due to injuries.
Carr has thrown for 41,245 yards and 257 touchdowns against 112 interceptions for the Raiders (2014-22) and Saints. He’s a four-time Pro Bowl selection, though not with the Saints, as he last made a Pro Bowl in 2022.
Loomis also announced that the Saints will be exercising the fifth-year option on wide receiver Chris Olave, but declining the option on offensive tackle Trevor Penning. That will extend Olave through 2026 at a salary of $15.49 million but allow Penning, who would be due $16.69 million, to depart at the end of this season.
–Field Level Media
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