Here’s more insight on the fraying relationship between Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints, from the Scoop City podcast with the Athletic’s Dianna Russini and former Saints backup QB Chase Daniel. Russini had previously spoken about some “scuttlebutt” relaying Kellen Moore’s uneasiness with the quarterback situation in New Orleans, and now that news of Carr’s injured shoulder has gone public, she shared more details on what’s being said around the league.
Russini described the situation as “fishy” with Carr’s injury being reported the same day Louisville QB Tyler Shough was touring the Saints practice facility on an official 30 visit before the 2025 NFL draft: “From what I can gather, it appears the information got out from the Carr side of it, it was put out by them. Because I can tell you, I had some conversations with people in New Orleans who were aware of it but they weren’t looking to put it on blast. There could be a world where the Saints put it out, too, but I really believe that this is coming from Derek Carr. Because I think he is the one who isn’t thrilled with the Saints at this point, right?”
It’s been reported that Carr was interested in testing the market as a free agent or potentially waive his no-trade clause, but restructuring his contract — without his permission, which is common practice — locked him in with the Saints for 2025. On that point, Russini mused, “Maybe this is Derek Carr looking at the situation going, ‘I don’t want the Kirk Cousins treatment, I don’t want to be your quarterback, you guys draft a young guy, coming in here, and it’s basically, when is he going to play?’ Which makes a quarterback room tense.” Cousins was shocked by the Atlanta Falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr. last year, which led to him getting benched at midseason.
That certainly sounds like an awkward situation, but some blame has to go to the Saints for engineering it. If Carr wanted out this badly and they were planning to make a move for a new quarterback anyway, it could have been a better idea to let him go back in March. Mickey Loomis made his move by restructuring Carr’s contract without his consent. Carr played his hand by leaking this injury and threatening to sit out the upcoming season. It might be a situation where both sides got what they wanted but neither of them are happy.
