The New Orleans Saints and free agent QB Derek Carr have come to terms on a 4 year deal.
New Orleans emerged as the front runners for Carr’s services after head coach Dennis Allen reached out to the former Raiders’ QB in recent weeks. Allen and Carr had an existing relationship which dates back to 2014 when the two were both members of the Raiders’ organization.
The 50 year old was ultimately let go by the franchise later that year, however he played a key role in inserting Carr as the team’s starter from Day 1.
New Orleans was in need of an established QB as inconsistent play from the signal caller position has led to them missing the playoffs in back to back years. Despite having a talented roster on both sides of the ball, the team wasn’t able to get over the hump with the likes of Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, and Taysom Hill under centre.
With Carr set to join the black and gold, Winston’s days in the bayou are likely numbered. The 29 year old is under contract for another season, but is due $12.8M in base salary in 2023. A release would save the Saints roughly $4.4M against the cap this season. If the team was to designate his release as a post-June 1st transaction then it would bump the club’s savings up to the full $12.8M.
Meanwhile Andy Dalton is set to become a free agent, and a mutual parting of ways is likely in the cards. That would leave just Taysom Hill, who is in the midst of a 4yr/$40M contract with the team, on the roster for this season. Hill’s contract has a potential out in 2024, so all signs point towards the 32 year old remaining with the club for at least 1 more year.
In 142 career starts, Carr compiled a 63-79 record while throwing for 35,222 yds with 217 TDs and 99 INTs. While his 2022 campaign was largely viewed as a disappointment, New Orleans is banking on a change of scenery revitalizing the former Fresno State standout’s career.
The Saints ranked 20th in the NFL in total TD’s last year, and even perennial Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara couldn’t shoulder the offensive load as he suffered one of the worst statistical seasons of his career. Often seeing loaded boxes, opposing teams dared the Saints to beat them through the air with their battered and bruised complement of QBs. Something they struggled mightily to accomplish.
Across 17 contests, the Saints only threw for 300+ yards in a game twice. Making matters worse, in 7 of those games they were on the wrong side of 200 yards through the air as well.
Perhaps the biggest reason why a move to the NFC South made sense for all parties involved however is the status of the other QB’s in the division. Unless a team makes a trade, free agent signing or drafts a new quarterback, Carr will be moving from a division with Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, and Justin Herbert, to one with Desmond Ridder, Kyle Trask, and Matt Corral as the presumptive starters.
While New Orleans currently sits at negative $18M worth of cap space, teams do not need to be cap compliant until March 15th. Which is also why financial terms of the contract have not yet been disclosed.
Expect the Saints front office to have a busy week ahead in terms of financial manoeuvring to get their new QB’s deal under the cap.
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.