When Derek Carr landed in New Orleans, he was seen as the missing piece to push the Saints into legitimate Super Bowl contention. His arrival carried the weight of high expectations—not just from fans, but from an organization desperate to return to its former glory. Yet, a series of injuries and inconsistent performances have placed his future with the franchise in serious doubt, casting a long shadow over the Saints' 2025 outlook.
Derek Carr’s uncertain future with the Saints: shoulder injury, public scrutiny, and quarterback questions for 2025
Derek Carr, known for his resilience and veteran poise, has found himself facing more than just physical challenges. A lingering shoulder injury, now confirmed by the quarterback himself, has fueled speculation about his readiness for the new season. The 33-year-old was visibly frustrated while addressing the media this past weekend, making it clear that misinformation and public criticism have taken a toll.
“Yes, I have to say this,” Carr admitted. “I hate that I have to say this, but I have to say this. Yes, I have a shoulder injury, despite what ESPN says. And what some lady on a podcast might think, OK? I have an MRI report to prove it. The team knows about it. We’ve been in constant communication. There’s nothing wrong. We’re figuring it out, and we’re gonna go forward with that. Is that OK?”
What’s evident from Carr’s remarks is not just his frustration with the rumors surrounding his health, but also a deeper emotional fatigue. The narrative swirling around his performance, injury status, and even his faith has prompted him to take a stand.
“And I’ve been dealing with this, and I’ve been dealing with people lying about me and I’ve been dealing with them saying this and this and that, and I’m like, ‘Lord, why do I have to continue to deal with this nonsense?’”
These comments paint the picture of a veteran who’s not only battling to stay healthy but also to preserve his reputation. For Carr, it's become more than a physical rehab journey—it's a mental and spiritual trial.
As uncertainty clouds Carr’s status for 2025, questions around the Saints’ quarterback situation intensify. Head coach Kellen Moore, recently brought on board to rejuvenate the offense, may have to prepare for life without his presumptive starter. And if Carr remains sidelined or isn’t fully recovered, the Saints will be forced to turn the page sooner than expected.
Spencer Rattler is one potential candidate. While still developing, he brings NFL experience and could offer stability in the short term. Meanwhile, rookie Tyler Shough—who was taken 8th in the second round of the 2025 draft—could emerge as a wildcard. Though Shough lacks pro-level reps, his college experience across three major programs (Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville) gives him a unique developmental edge.
Interestingly, many experts believed the Saints would pursue Shedeur Sanders as a potential successor to Carr. But with Shough now on the roster, New Orleans appears to have opted for a long-term project rather than an immediate replacement.
Despite his injury struggles, Carr remains under contract through 2026. A recent restructuring of his deal makes trading him a financially painful move for the Saints, especially considering the cap implications. Still, his availability—or lack thereof—will significantly impact the franchise’s strategic decisions moving forward.
Carr’s emotional remarks during the media session also spoke volumes about the modern NFL landscape, where players often battle public perception as fiercely as they do opposing defenses.
“And so why do we continually try to attack people? And I would say attack people that are trying to do things maybe the right way. Why do we continually try — why do we always have to have an opinion? Why do we — Twitter and Instagram has ruined things for some people."
“Because now all these people think that they have voices that have to be heard… not one of our opinions in here matters. Did you know that? The only opinion that matters is that text right there. It is the word of God.”
Derek Carr’s future with the Saints is, without question, uncertain. But what’s equally clear is his determination to face that uncertainty with honesty, faith, and grit. Whether he lines up under center in 2025 or not, Carr’s story in New Orleans is far from over—it’s just reached its most pivotal chapter yet.
Also Read: "Skip Bayless is an idiot": Tom Brady reportedly denies accusations against him of sabotaging Shedeur Sanders' NFL future
Derek Carr’s uncertain future with the Saints: shoulder injury, public scrutiny, and quarterback questions for 2025
Derek Carr, known for his resilience and veteran poise, has found himself facing more than just physical challenges. A lingering shoulder injury, now confirmed by the quarterback himself, has fueled speculation about his readiness for the new season. The 33-year-old was visibly frustrated while addressing the media this past weekend, making it clear that misinformation and public criticism have taken a toll.
Derek Carr is publicly speaking about his shoulder injury. During a church service in Las Vegas (@TheChurchLV), he said he has been in contact with #Saints officials, has gotten an MRI and says everyone is trying to figure out the next steps. pic.twitter.com/ud2GRiHixI
— Farrah Yvette (@farrah_yvette) April 28, 2025
“Yes, I have to say this,” Carr admitted. “I hate that I have to say this, but I have to say this. Yes, I have a shoulder injury, despite what ESPN says. And what some lady on a podcast might think, OK? I have an MRI report to prove it. The team knows about it. We’ve been in constant communication. There’s nothing wrong. We’re figuring it out, and we’re gonna go forward with that. Is that OK?”
What’s evident from Carr’s remarks is not just his frustration with the rumors surrounding his health, but also a deeper emotional fatigue. The narrative swirling around his performance, injury status, and even his faith has prompted him to take a stand.
“And I’ve been dealing with this, and I’ve been dealing with people lying about me and I’ve been dealing with them saying this and this and that, and I’m like, ‘Lord, why do I have to continue to deal with this nonsense?’”
These comments paint the picture of a veteran who’s not only battling to stay healthy but also to preserve his reputation. For Carr, it's become more than a physical rehab journey—it's a mental and spiritual trial.
As uncertainty clouds Carr’s status for 2025, questions around the Saints’ quarterback situation intensify. Head coach Kellen Moore, recently brought on board to rejuvenate the offense, may have to prepare for life without his presumptive starter. And if Carr remains sidelined or isn’t fully recovered, the Saints will be forced to turn the page sooner than expected.
Spencer Rattler is one potential candidate. While still developing, he brings NFL experience and could offer stability in the short term. Meanwhile, rookie Tyler Shough—who was taken 8th in the second round of the 2025 draft—could emerge as a wildcard. Though Shough lacks pro-level reps, his college experience across three major programs (Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville) gives him a unique developmental edge.
Interestingly, many experts believed the Saints would pursue Shedeur Sanders as a potential successor to Carr. But with Shough now on the roster, New Orleans appears to have opted for a long-term project rather than an immediate replacement.
Despite his injury struggles, Carr remains under contract through 2026. A recent restructuring of his deal makes trading him a financially painful move for the Saints, especially considering the cap implications. Still, his availability—or lack thereof—will significantly impact the franchise’s strategic decisions moving forward.
Carr’s emotional remarks during the media session also spoke volumes about the modern NFL landscape, where players often battle public perception as fiercely as they do opposing defenses.
“And so why do we continually try to attack people? And I would say attack people that are trying to do things maybe the right way. Why do we continually try — why do we always have to have an opinion? Why do we — Twitter and Instagram has ruined things for some people."
“Because now all these people think that they have voices that have to be heard… not one of our opinions in here matters. Did you know that? The only opinion that matters is that text right there. It is the word of God.”
Derek Carr’s future with the Saints is, without question, uncertain. But what’s equally clear is his determination to face that uncertainty with honesty, faith, and grit. Whether he lines up under center in 2025 or not, Carr’s story in New Orleans is far from over—it’s just reached its most pivotal chapter yet.
Also Read: "Skip Bayless is an idiot": Tom Brady reportedly denies accusations against him of sabotaging Shedeur Sanders' NFL future
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