The New Orleans Saints are at a crossroads. After a disastrous 5-12 season that landed them the No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft , the team is in dire need of major upgrades at multiple positions.
While quarterback Derek Carr was supposed to bring stability, his first two years in New Orleans brought mixed results. Now, with potential franchise-altering decisions on the horizon, some are speculating that the Saints may be preparing to move on from Carr and go in a completely different direction.
With dynamic QB prospects like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward potentially available, the Saints have a real opportunity to reshape their future. However, the latest reports suggest that instead of committing to a rookie immediately, New Orleans may look to bring in an established talent…one who still has untapped potential.
According to ESPN’s Seth Walder , if the Saints can find a way to escape Carr’s contract, they should go all-in on a rebuild and prioritize acquiring younger quarterbacks with upside. One name that has emerged as a possible target is Justin Fields.
“Assuming it can avoid paying that $30 million to Carr, New Orleans ought to embrace a full rebuild—which means playing players with future upside,” Walder wrote.
“Fields and a rookie could make sense in that context. There’s still a possibility Fields can kick his level of play up a notch and if not, a mid-round rookie can get some run. My only hesitation is that even Fields might be too expensive for the Saints given how rough their salary cap situation is. New Orleans must stop doling out money and focus on a clean slate for 2027, as it will likely need multiple years to clear out its cap issues.”
Fields, who accounted for 64 total touchdowns in his first four seasons as a pro (three seasons with the Chicago Bears and one with the Pittsburgh Steelers), remains an intriguing option for QB-needy teams.
Fields’ dual-threat ability and untapped ceiling make him a compelling bridge quarterback — and possibly even a long-term answer — if paired with the right offensive scheme.
A Contradiction to the Saints’ Public Stance on Derek Carr
While rumors about a potential Saints-Fields connection continue to gain steam, they directly contradict what the team’s front office has been saying about Carr’s future. General manager Mickey Loomis has repeatedly stated that New Orleans remains committed to Carr as its starter in 2025.
I think we feel like we’ve got a guy we can win with,” Loomis said at the NFL Scouting Combine . “We’re excited about it.”
Loomis’ comments were the strongest endorsement Carr has received this offseason, even more definitive than head coach Kellen Moore’s remarks weeks earlier. At Moore’s introductory press conference, he praised Carr’s ability but stopped short of naming him the clear-cut starter.
The Financial Reality of Carr’s Contract
While the Saints are saying all the right things publicly, the financial aspect of Carr’s deal remains a major hurdle. His $51.4 million cap hit in 2025 puts New Orleans in a precarious position, as they are already among the most cap-strapped teams in the NFL .
With free agency and the draft approaching, the Saints’ QB situation is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing storylines of the offseason.
