New Orleans Saints Urged to Move On from QB Derek Carr — Former NFL Champion Floated as Potential Replacement..
Pressure is mounting in the Big Easy as voices around the league grow louder, urging the New Orleans Saints to part ways with veteran quarterback Derek Carr. After a disappointing 2024 campaign that saw the Saints finish well below expectations, internal and external critics are calling for a bold shift — one that may involve replacing Carr with a seasoned Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
Carr, who signed a four-year deal with the Saints in 2023, has struggled to replicate his early-career form. Plagued by inconsistency, missed connections with his receiving corps, and recurring injuries, the 33-year-old quarterback was often outplayed by younger, more dynamic signal-callers across the NFC. While his veteran presence was expected to bring stability to New Orleans, the results have been far from ideal.
He’s not the future. He’s not even the present anymore,” said one former NFL executive who asked to remain anonymous. “New Orleans has a strong defense, a young core of offensive talent, and a city starving for playoff relevance. They can’t waste another year hoping Carr suddenly becomes elite.”
The call for change is being amplified by speculation that a former Super Bowl champion — whose identity is still under wraps publicly — could be in the mix to take over under center. The mystery quarterback is said to be a proven winner with a playoff résumé and leadership credibility, someone who could provide a short-term spark while the Saints build toward a long-term solution.
Among the rumored possibilities are names like Nick Foles, who remains a free agent and is best known for leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl LII title, and Joe Flacco, who enjoyed a late-career resurgence with the Browns. Both quarterbacks bring big-game experience and are seen as bridge options for teams not ready to throw a rookie into the fire.
Meanwhile, inside the Saints’ front office, new head coach Kellen Moore and general manager Mickey Loomis are said to be in ongoing discussions about the quarterback situation. Moore, known for his creative offensive schemes, has remained publicly supportive of Carr but has also expressed openness to exploring “what gives this team the best chance to win, now and in the future.”
Financial concerns also weigh heavily on the decision. Carr’s contract, with its escalating cap hits, limits the team’s ability to address other roster needs. A release or trade — potentially post-June 1 to spread the cap hit — would free up space and give the Saints flexibility heading into a pivotal season.
Fan reaction has been mixed, with many frustrated by the lack of progress at the quarterback position. Chants of “Who Dat” have recently turned into questions of “What now?” as the Saints fanbase grows restless.
If the front office does opt for change, the move would mark a dramatic turning point — one that signals the end of the Derek Carr era in New Orleans and the beginning of a high-stakes rebuild or resurgence. Whether the Saints pull the trigger on a trade, a release, or a surprise signing remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the clock is ticking in New Orleans.