Derek Carr’s future with the Saints is uncertain after his most recent injury

The New Orleans Saints were recently dealt a tough blow when quarterback Derek Carr suffered a potentially season-ending left hand injury in a hard-fought win against the New York Giants. For a team trying to stay in playoff contention, losing its veteran signal-caller is hard to overcome. But in the NFL, as brutal as it may sound, the name of the game is still next man up.

Carr's arrival in New Orleans in 2023 was supposed to provide stability to a team that had been searching for consistency under center since Drew Brees’ retirement. The four-time Pro Bowler, was brought in to provide leadership, experience, and a steady hand in New Orleans. While his debut season with the Saints had its ups and downs, the offense was showing flashes of brillance at the beginning of the 2024 season, and Carr appeared to be settling into Klint Kubiak ’s system. Now, with Carr sidelined, the Saints face possibly the biggest moment, not just for this season, but perhaps for the next several years.

Derek Carr’s future in New Orleans is uncertain after hand injury

The best news in Carr's injury is that it's to his non-throwing hand. On the flip side, Carr is 33, and quarterbacks in their 30s can’t afford to lose time, especially in a league that’s constantly evolving with younger, more mobile passers. Carr has lead the Saints to a 5-5 season while being the starter this year, and a 14-13 record in his two seasons with the team. That’s definitely not what the Saints expected when they signed him to a four-year, $150 million contract.

Financially, the Saints have a significant investment in Carr. His contract makes it unlikely they’ll move on immediately. A large portion of Carr's deal includes guaranteed money. He was never expected to be the long-term future of the franchise in the same way Drew Brees was. Instead, he was seen as a more of a veteran presence to guide the team through a transitional period.

However, NFL teams are always looking to maximize their resources, and if Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener impresses during Carr’s absence, the Saints may find themselves at a crossroads but that may not necessarily be a bad thing.

Derek Carr’s injury opens the door for Spencer Rattler of Jake Haener

For the Saints, it’s about determining whether Rattler or Haener can be their long-term solution. The quarterback position is the most important in football, and while Carr was brought in as a stabilizer, his injury-ridden tenure accelerates the need to evaluate other options. The final four games gives the team the opportunity to be more free and even open the playbook to see what the young quarterbacks can do.

If one of them thrives, it could lead to a seismic shift in the Saints’ plans. A strong finish to the season might give New Orleans the confidence to build around Rattler or Haener moving forward, possibly reshaping their strategy in free agency and the draft. With the Saints already having bad cap space, it works out perfectly if they have the future of their franchise already on the roster under a rookie contract. On the other side, if the young QBs falter, the Saints at least have the data and snaps to back up any offseason decisions.

With that being said, Carr can end up being the veteran QB still helping out young QBs navigating through tough defenses on Sundays. This can ultimately result in him still getting his number called at any moment. For a team like the Saints, who have the talent to compete in a weak NFC South, having a veteran quarterback in Carr could still be the safest bet. But Carr will need to show he can not only stay healthy but elevate his play to convince the franchise that he remains their best path to success.

This injury is a big and critical moment in Carr's career. He’s faced adversity before, but this moment is different. Whether it’s in New Orleans or elsewhere, Carr’s journey to re-establish himself as a top-tier quarterback begins the moment he starts his recovery. Carr’s future in New Orleans may not only depend on his recovery but also on what his replacement does with this unexpected opportunity. But for now, the Saints have an uncertainty at the quarterback position.

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