Analysis

Carr and the Saints have spent multiple weeks discussing options on how to reduce the quarterback's salary cap hit. Converting Carr's salary to a signing bonus appears to be the route the two sides are going and will clear up about $30 million in cap space, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, and all but guarantees that the 2014 second-round pick will return to New Orleans for a third season. Carr missed seven games in 2024 due to a left oblique injury and a fractured left hand, and he finished the regular season completing 67.7 percent of his passes for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions across 10 games.

Analysis

Loomis said that he believes the Saints "can win with" Carr, echoing the tone of new head coach Kellen Moore, who said earlier this month that the 33-year-old is a "tremendous starting quarterback in this league." Regardless of New Orleans' enthusiasm, Carr's $51.4 million cap hit for 2025 poses a significant hurdle that the team will have to address in order to maneuver properly in free agency. Terrell reports that restructuring Carr's contract could free up $31 million in cap space for the 2025 season, at the cost of making his cap hit in 2026 -- the final year of his contract -- roughly $69 million. Carr is recovering from an injury-riddled campaign in which he most notably missed the final four games of the season due to a broken bone in his non-throwing hand.

Analysis

Paradoxically, the Saints' perennially disastrous cap situation may actually make them more likely to retain Carr, as the easiest way to achieve cap compliance is by renegotiating and extending existing contracts. They can release him before mid-March with a post-June 1 designation to push most of the dead-money charge to 2026, but that wouldn't free up 2025 cap space until June. Carr will turn 34 in March, following a 2025 campaign in which he suffered numerous injuries and eventually missed the final four weeks with a broken bone in his non-throwing hand.

Analysis

Reports suggested Carr was unlikely to play again this season after he suffered a concussion and broken left hand during a Week 14 win over the Giants. Interim coach Darren Rizzi decided to treat it as a week-to-week matter, at least publicly, but Carr never even returned to practice. Spencer Rattler will make another start Sunday, with Carr then having plenty of time to recover this winter and get back to full strength before OTAs. Carr doesn't currently have any guaranteed money for the final two seasons of his four-year contract, but it'll be difficult for the Saints to move on and absorb a huge dead cap hit given their unusual salary-cap situation/management. Carr's $30 million base salary and $10 million roster bonus for 2025 both become guaranteed in mid-March, which means there will be some kind of renegotiation/restructure before then even if the Saints plan to keep him around as their starting QB for 2025. Carr will turn 34 shortly thereafter, at the end of March.

Analysis

It isn't yet clear if the Saints will rule Carr out Friday or further extend the charade of him possibly returning this season to play through a broken hand for a 6-11 team. Either way, Spencer Rattler likely will be under center for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay.

Analysis

Carr thus will have one more opportunity to prove the health of his left hand Friday, or else risk missing a fourth game in a row to end the campaign. Spencer Rattler is lined up for another start under center for the Saints if Carr ultimately is inactive Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Analysis

Carr continues to tend to a fractured left hand that he suffered in a Week 14 win over the Giants, missing the last three games as a result. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi said Monday that the Saints will evaluate Carr as the week goes on to determine whether he has a chance to play Sunday at Tampa Bay, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. If Carr doesn't progress enough in his recovery, though, Spencer Rattler would be in line for a third straight start this weekend.

Analysis

Per interim head coach Darren Rizzi, Carr simulated some game-like situations last week but wasn't far enough along to suit up against his former club, the Raiders. It's likely Carr will go through a similar assessment this week before his status for the Saints' season finale is determined. New Orleans probably isn't going to push the envelope with Carr given that the team is out of playoff contention, and if the veteran quarterback can't play, Spencer Rattler likely will get another start.

Analysis

Carr still hasn't practiced since suffering a concussion and a left hand fracture Week 14 at the Giants. He seemingly cleared concussion protocol last week and reportedly doesn't want to be shut down for the season, but it won't come as any surprise if he also ends up missing Week 18. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will start this Sunday against the Raiders.