When the New Orleans Saints decided to bring quarterback Derek Carr back for the 2025 season it seemed to at least solidify the position for one more year. They might end up having to go back to the drawing board, and perhaps make the position an even bigger priority in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Friday, Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury that could put his 2025 season in jeopardy as he contemplates whether or not to have surgery.
Earlier in the offseason there was speculation as to whether or not Carr and the Saints would split given his contract, but they reworked his deal to tie him to the franchise for at least one more year.
Picking a quarterback with the No. 9 overall pick was certainly going to be an option, but as more of a developmental situation to sit behind Carr for a year.
It might now be an immediate need and could change the Saints’ draft board.
The two most likely quarterback options at their spot will be Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart.
Sanders is far from a given to be available at that spot (the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders are all potential spots for him ahead of the Saints), but Dart could certainly be in play as he continues to rise up boards going into the draft.
It also creates the possibility for a trickle-down effect in the draft if other quarterback-needy teams perceive the Saints as a likely destination for one of the top quarterbacks available. Could a team like Seattle or Pittsburgh try to make a bold move to jump up ahead of the Saints? It is something that has to at least be considered.
Carr has spent the past two seasons with the Saints, and while he might be overpaid with a problematic contract, he is still a solid NFL starting quarterback. If he is unable to play the Saints are going to have even more issues to deal with on an already flawed team.
