Derek Carr, Saints Reportedly to Make Decision on QB's Future Sooner Rather Than Later

Derek Carr's future could become clearer in the coming weeks.

As the quarterback looms whether to get surgery on his injured shoulder, the New Orleans Saints "are trying to decide what’s best for the team and Derek is still actively trying to make the best decision for his shoulder," per NFL Network's Jane Slater. Slater noted that a decision on both matters will be made "sooner rather than later."

Slater also reported that Carr has met with the team doctor in New Orleans twice recently and believes his injury occurred during Week 14, when he also suffered a wrist injury. The veteran quarterback started throwing meaningfully again until this spring and that's when he noticed the injury.

Slater noted that Carr is hesitant to have surgery on his shoulder because he has had surgery on the same arm in the past.

Carr, 34, is under contract through the 2026 season and is due $41.255 million in base salary over the next two years. The team reportedly restructured his contract without his permission, converting $28.7 million of his $30 million base salary into a signing bonus and bringing his base salary for the 2025 season to the league minimum.

But while the Saints changed Carr's contract without his blessing, they also potentially set themselves up for a situation in which they would have to pay Carr even if he's not on the team.

"In doing so, it locked New Orleans into paying that money for 2025, meaning if Carr was traded, the Saints would be paying Carr to play for someone else this fall," Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote of the contract change.

The Saints can still try to trade Carr and at least get something in return, but his trade value has diminished significantly over the past year. If he decides to have surgery, it will sink his trade value even further.