Kellen Moore was quickly brought into the fold by the Saints after he helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX. The league’s youngest head coach faces a number of challenges, including having a say in determining how his new team will proceed at the quarterback spot. 
Derek Carr has two years remaining on his pact, and his cumbersome cap hits ($51.46MM, $61.46MM) over that span have led to speculation the Saints could move on. A trade could be of interest to teams looking for a bridge starter, but a contract restructure would no doubt be required to make the 33-year-old a feasible option for potential suitors. He is due a $10MM roster bonus for 2025, along with a $30MM base salary which is set to vest shortly after the league year begins in mid-March.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said earlier this offseason the team’s head coaching hire would play a role in deciding if Carr would remain in place for 2025 (as opposed to starting over at the position). During Moore’s introductory press conference, he was understandably asked about his view on the Carr situation. To little surprise, though, he did not make a firm commitment one way or the other.
“Derek’s a tremendous quarterback in this league. I’ve had so much respect for him, the journey that he’s been on, he’s a starter in this league,” Moore said (via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell). “He’s a premier player in this league… Really excited to team up with him and go through this process and so just like any player on this roster, I just got here a few days ago and I’m excited to go through this journey with all of them.”
Moore’s evaluation of the roster – one which currently has the Saints on track to be more than $50MM over the projected 2025 salary cap – is in its early stages. Cost-shedding moves will be required at several positions, although a Carr trade would create a $40MM dead money charge and only $11.33MM in savings this offseason. A release using a post-June 1 designation would generate a net gain in savings on the cap, on the other hand.
New Orleans used a fourth-round pick in 2023 on Jake Haener and followed up that selection by drafting Spencer Rattler in the fifth round last April. The latter made six starts while filling in for an injured Carr this past season, and Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post notes the Saints have informed other teams they are prepared to put Rattler atop the depth chart for 2025 and move on from Carr. Coupled with Moore’s non-committal remarks, questions will no doubt continue to be raised about New Orleans’ quarterback approach.
Moore noted, to no surprise, he will call plays for the Saints. A rebound from last year’s showing (24th in scoring) will be welcomed, but expectations for the team will of course be driven in large part by either the continued presence of Carr for a third New Orleans campaign or that of a new full-time starter.
Calling his own plays makes no sense. A head coach needs to hire an offensive coordinator he trusts, work together to agree on approach and then stand aside. Moore will be a failure and gone in two years if he follows through on this dumb idea.
Yes, I’m sure there are no NFL head coaches that have had success calling the plays, other than Shanahan, McVay, Taylor, Peyton, LaFleur, O’Connell…
Keeping the few remaining better players on the field should be the first priority, followed by a complete overhaul of the aging and unathletic roster with some youngsters who want to play and can play. The South Division is still wide open.
Agree. Get younger and take the cap bullet now so they can build a stronger foundation for the future. Unfortunately, their GM likes to kick the can down the road.
Prepared to put Spencer Rattler at the top of the depth chart…?
The tank for Arch has officially started.
Umm yah he will be fired after 2 seasons. If he makes it that long.