New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr faces a huge make-or-break year in 2023. Not only is he focused on returning to health, he’s thinking about what the future holds for him in the NFL. After a lost season derailed by injuries—both his and his team’s—Carr is shopping around, and his team, at a crossroads itself, is looking for a new path. Reports indicated that Carr broke down toward the end of the season. This has led to some speculation about his preparedness to come back and his overall future with the Saints.
Not only did Carr recover from a pretty gruesome labrum injury, Carr himself has publicly made it known that he wants to return and play this season. He had just passed a routine physical that found no problems with his shoulder. This serves as a reminder of his commitment to getting back on the pitch! One Saints coaching source said what Carr had trouble doing was hitting the throws required by the game late last season. He was ill-equipped to face those challenges.
I’m thankful to the institution and Coach Rizz for allowing me that opportunity. It really boiled down to, I just wasn’t able to grip a football. And that’s pretty important to know,” Carr said.
Carr’s contract with the Saints is only guaranteed through the end of the 2025 season. This provides a nice bridge to what could be a new and improved change of scenery thereafter. Throughout the year there have been whispers that he would look elsewhere for a new playing home as the team continues to figure out its place. Carr certainly hasn’t been a priority for most in the Saints organization. This has led to rampant speculation about their long term commitment to him.
“A lot of the guys that interviewed [for the New Orleans head coaching job] thought they would have Derek,” an AFC executive remarked, suggesting that Carr’s presence was anticipated during the coaching search.
General Manager Mickey Loomis has been shoved at the control for more than two decades, having navigation and piloted enormous transitions inside the Saints. As Carr weighs his options, he has to weigh his health with the team’s future desires. The 2026 quarterback class is expected to be notably deeper than this year’s prospects, with standout players like Arch Manning drawing attention. This backdrop could have implications for Carr’s short- and long-term position within the organization and beyond.
Kellen Moore, the highly regarded former OC of the Cowboys, now on the Saints’ coaching staff, said nice things about Carr’s ceiling. “Derek’s a tremendous quarterback in this league,” he said. Moore recognized Carr’s long, winding road from Fresno State to the Raiders, and now to New Orleans. “I’m really excited to team up with him and go through this process,” Moore added.
Carr’s recovery could take longer than expected. “I’m probably still a little bit away from getting cleared from all of that stuff,” Carr mentioned, emphasizing his need to prioritize his health above all else. He has fought through a record of injuries throughout his career. Unfortunately, the physical toll has him second-guessing what is needed for true longevity in the game.
Looking ahead, the Saints organization recognizes the chance they have in the relatively weak NFC South. “I think they see things as the NFC South is still very winnable and they are in a position to be underestimated now,” noted a veteran NFL personnel man. This projection should have a significant impact on how they treat Carr’s case going forward.
Carr’s impressive play last season raised eyebrows as he faltered toward the close of last season. This led to speculation on potential hidden injuries that may have impacted his performance. “He wasn’t in the mode of doing heavy throwing late in the year, and he tried to get ready, but the wrist just wasn’t there yet,” a Saints coaching source explained. This begs the question of whether he would be able to sufficiently evaluate for possible shoulder issues. Did he just discover the issue after trying to do some more strenuous activities?
Though Carr is still charting this new and exciting course in his career, he is hopeful about where he may be headed. “The No. 1 thing is that I have to get healthy. I’ve got to take care of myself and then, the rest after that is really out of my hands,” he stated.
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