Saints Face Quarterback Crossroads as Derek Carr’s Shoulder Injury Threatens 2025 Season The New Orleans Saints’ offseason plans have been upended by a significant health concern involving starting quarterback Derek Carr, who is weighing surgical options for a severe shoulder injury that could sideline him for the entire 2025 NFL season. The development throws the team’s immediate future into uncertainty as they approach the draft with the No. 9 overall pick—a selection that could now pivot toward finding Carr’s successor.

Carr’s Precarious Position Carr, 34, is entering the third year of a four-year, $150 million contract restructured earlier this offseason to convert much of his salary into a signing bonus, effectively binding him to New Orleans through 2025. However, his durability has become a glaring issue: he missed seven games in 2024 due to oblique and hand injuries, finishing with 2,145 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 10 starts. The Saints went 5-5 in those games but collapsed to 0-7 without him, ending last in the NFC South.

The latest injury—described as a “significant” issue affecting his throwing shoulder—has left the team scrambling. League sources indicate Carr and the Saints are evaluating whether surgery, which could require a multi-month recovery, is necessary. If he opts for the procedure, his absence would leave New Orleans with a quarterback room of Spencer Rattler (0-6 as a 2024 rookie), Jake Haener, and Ben DiNucci—a group that combined for zero wins in relief duty last season.

Draft Dilemma: Is Shedeur Sanders the Answer? With the draft looming on April 25–27, the Saints’ front office faces mounting pressure to address the quarterback position. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, has emerged as a potential target. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound prospect is projected as a top-10 pick after a standout 2024 season where he led all FBS passers with a 74.2% completion rate, throwing for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns.

Scouts praise Sanders’ poise under pressure, lightning-quick release, and elite decision-making (121 career TD passes to 23 interceptions). However, concerns linger about his size and arm strength compared to NFL prototypes. ESPN analysts note his ability to “throw receivers open” and diagnose defenses pre-snap, traits that could appeal to new head coach Kellen Moore’s offensive philosophy.

Financial and Strategic Implications Carr’s contract complicates matters: his $20.4 million cap hit in 2025 jumps to $69.2 million in 2026, with void years stretching through 2029. Drafting Sanders would provide a cost-controlled successor, but the Saints must weigh whether he can start immediately—a tall order given their porous 2024 offensive line, which allowed 52 sacks at Colorado last season.

General Manager Mickey Loomis has historically avoided early-round quarterback investments, but the team’s 0-8 record in games started by drafted QBs since 2020 (Rattler, Haener, Ian Book, Tommy Stevens) underscores the need for a reboot.

What’s Next The Saints begin offseason workouts on April 14, with Carr’s participation in doubt. If surgery occurs, New Orleans could explore veteran stopgaps like Ryan Tannehill or Jacoby Brissett while Sanders develops. However, with $27 million in current cap space, the more daring path would be handing Sanders the keys to an offense featuring Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Alvin Kamara.

For Carr, this injury could mark an unceremonious end to his Saints tenure—a two-year stint defined by mid-tier production (6,023 yards, 40 TDs) and unmet expectations. As the draft nears, New Orleans’ decision at No. 9 will reveal whether they’re ready to embrace a future beyond their embattled QB.