ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

The New Orleans Saints 2025 offseason is no doubt going to be an intriguing one, with cap management, head coaching searches, and whatever free agents they are able to bring in and retain. However, with that in mind, there is also a line to draw between likely and unrealistic. ESPN writer Ben Solak recently put out an article discussing the quarterback market in this offseason. One of the pieces discussed is Derek Carr, and how things could shape up if Sam Darnold returns to the Minnesota Vikings.

In his scenario where Darnold does return, Solak believes the Pittsburgh Steelers could pivot and make a push for Carr via trade:

"While the most likely outcome is that Darnold gets a big deal from someone else in free agency, I remain far less confident than public perception that he gets out of Minnesota. And if he stays, things could get wonky, fast. In Darnold's absence, I could see the trade market getting hot for a player like Carr, the next-best option for two to three years of acceptable play. The Steelers and coach Mike Tomlin need that plug-and-play fix at quarterback to finally find some postseason wins before seats start to get too hot. Could they work with the Saints to get New Orleans some cap relief in return for Carr's services? I think it's doable."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/oth...a702157d&ei=77

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

I'm not sure solving our QB “problem” is something they should put all that high on our priority list unless someone stupid falls to us in the draft. I'm not even sure that guy is even there this year. I haven't been around enough lately to get a feel for the sentiment of the board but rolling with Rattler while we rebuild will do both Rattler and the organization a disservice if we don't have a gangbang with hookers.

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

I favor cutting Carr with a post june 1 designation and rolling with Rattler on a flyer, drafting high if rattler fails because carr is not getting us a ring. I would be fine to trade Carr also but i feel the market is limited because Carr, Rodgers, Stafford, Cousins, and Wilson could all be free agents. Grandpa QB saturation.

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

Rumors I'm hearing from Saints reporters on Twitter, is that Kellen Moore isn't thrilled about the Saints QB room, but they are also saying it's believed there's a deal with him as our HC that'll be announced after the superbowl.

If that's the case, then that to me is a win-win, if he doesn't like Carr as his QB, he'll pull the plug and whilst we may eat a lot of that cap hit, it'll let us move on quicker.

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

"I wouldn't take a pay cut," Carr told ESPN. "Yeah, I wouldn't do that. Especially with what I put on tape.

CUT HIS AZZZ

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

Well... If he is that good on camera perhaps he can start an Onlyfans. Nahh, he would still miss 1/2 of his schedule and lose fans.:bng:

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

I'm not sure of Carr's contract details but doesn't he have a "no trade" clause?

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

Yes. A full no trade clause.

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

He would go to Pittsburgh and thrive

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

If Carr stayed healthy in Pittsburgh he might make the playoffs but then say he gets to the playoffs and there are Mahomes, Allen, Jackson, Burrow, etc. Carr will be one and done. But also Pittsburgh is no sure thing. They finished the season on a 4 game losing streak, were one and done in the playoffs, and Watt had no sacks in the last 3 games of the regular season or in the postseason. Pittsburgh has one receiver who sometimes makes effort and their defense depends too much on one player who could be starting to decline. In many ways Pittburgh is in just a slightly better position than the Saints when they brought in Carr, where the team seems to just need a QB but many other cracks are showing that could offset a slight improvement at QB.

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

I'm still confused how now $30 million a year is average pay, or below average if you listen to some. Good work agents, I guess. But other than the top three-five, there is no one worthy of that salary. Sprinkle in the injuries they all seem to get now, it's worth even less. At this point, the team is much better off becoming elite at every other position, and draft a decent QB every five years. That way they are always on a rookie contract. There's only so many generational QBs. Of course the challenge is being able to draft consistently well. Saints have fallen off the wagon of late.

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

If you look at those salaries as a percentage of the cap it doesn't seem so out of line. In 2005 the cap was $85.5 million. The estimated cap for 2025 will likely reach $275 million. That shows the cap has more than tripled in the last 20 years. I believe the highest paid QB in 2005 was Michael Vick at almost $23 million. The highest paid QB's today are only slightly more than double that amount.

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

The highest paid QB currently I believe is Dak Prescott at $60 million a year. Many other top QB are averaging in the 50’s. However most of these deals are backloaded with more inflated salaries at the ends of the deals intended to only be paid if the QB has had extreme playoff success or been an MVP candidate. And most of those deals were signed recently and have not reached those backloaded years yet. Carr’s original contract was $30 million a year but we are now entering the backloaded years at $40 million for 2025 and $50 million for 2026. When you look at what the top QBs in the league are actually being paid for 2025 no backloaded future years, Carr is much closer to the top of the market for 2025 and 2026 and that makes no sense for an older player with no mvp level season and no playoff resume who doesnt play smart and cant stay healthy anymore. Its bad business to pay Carr 80% of Mahomes when what Carr brings to your team is 8% of Mahomes if that. It’s not a bargain to get 20% off on gas that is 20% water, and thats how far Carr will take us in the playoffs by being almost good enough but not.

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

There are only four or five QB's in the league today that can be counted upon to take their teams very far into the playoffs. We had one of those types in Brees. I agree that Carr isn't one of those types, but very few are. We can keep throwing them against the wall hoping one finally sticks. It may take twenty years. In the meantime, we must do our best with what we have through the draft and free agency and hope to have some luck.

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

I'd like to see what Carr could do with a decent O-line. He looked really good the 1st two games before our O-line started falling apart.

He might surprise us.

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

It's been said many times - if everything is perfect around Carr, he can win games. Beyond that, he's below average.

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

So therein lies one of the many differences between Carr and the Brees' of the world. It's still open for debate whether it was entirely all on the OL after the first two games. Opponents do watch game film is likely more on point. An average QB will have trouble raising his game unlike a Brees. We've said many times that Brees made his OL look way better than they actually were.

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

With perfect conditions, you Sir. could also win games. Willing to suit up for peasantry $20MM?

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

Have you seen me in a uniform? I'd make more in donations from people who feel sorry for me! :bng:

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

Reminds me of a saying;

"If you discover you're on the wrong train, it's best to get off as soon as possible because the return ticket only grow more expensive..."

But yeah, sure, if Kellen sees him as the best option as a bridge QB then you run with him for another year and hope things remain solid around him.

Re: ESPN designs odd scenario to get Derek Carr off of the Saints
 

So would I. Lets trade or release him, let him go to such a team, and see. I think with the right team around him he could make the playoffs but wont win in the playoffs because there are too many QBs a tier above him and 34yo or whatever is too old to learn to play at playoff speed. But I would be happy to see him join another team like the colts or browns and try.