New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr will not accept a pay cut, which means the team could trade him for salary cap relief. Originally signed in 2023, New Orleans brought in the former Raider to provide the combination of upside and stability that Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston could not offer. While Carr hasn’t been an active liability by any stretch of the imagination, he hasn’t been good enough to carry a flawed roster to the postseason.
Since taking over in New Orleans, Carr has gone 14-13 while completing 68.2% of his passes for 6,023 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He’s far from a liability and is easily a starting-caliber quarterback, but he’s not the guy who can elevate a flawed roster. With the Saints needing to clear cap space, the team could look to trade Derek Carr, and ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports the New York Giants could be interested in his services.
The New York Giants would be interested in New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr as a potential trade option.
Via @JordanRaanan pic.twitter.com/UJ095Gbr7o
— Sportskeeda Pro Football (@SKProFootball) January 23, 2025
Giants, Saints Could Agree to Derek Carr Trade
It’s easy to see why the New York Giants would want to trade for Derek Carr. While the four-time Pro Bowler is entering his age-34 season and is not a long-term answer at the position, he can be a perfectly adequate short-term option. The 2025 NFL Draft class is weak at the quarterback position, and the Giants currently hold the third-overall pick and sit behind two quarterback-needy teams in the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns.
As of this posting, Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders are the only quarterback prospects receiving top-five buzz. If the Giants aren’t in love with either prospect – or believe the Titans and Browns will take both players with the first two picks – then New York won’t have a clear path to a quarterback of the future. This means they’ll have to get by with a veteran option for at least one season, and Carr is likely the best option on the market.
The New York Giants do not have the most complete offense, but there are pieces to work with here. 2023 first-round pick Malik Nabers looks like the real deal, and Wan’Dale Robinson is a reliable possession receiver who could thrive with a quarterback like Carr. While the offensive line isn’t great, it’s better than what Carr dealt with in New Orleans. He won’t turn this team into a Super Bowl contender, but he will improve the team and could save Brian Daboll’s job.
Trade Terms
It’s hard to know how the Saints would feel about a Derek Carr trade without knowing who their next head coach will be. Carr currently carries a $51.48 million cap hit, but New Orleans could save $11.3 million by trading him now or $40 million by trading him after June 1st. Seeing as this will be primarily a financial move, it’s hard to envision the Saints getting anything more than a Day 3 pick for the quarterback’s services.
If the Saints trade Derek Carr to the Giants, they’ll still need to find a short-term option under center. Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener didn’t do enough as rookies to inspire confidence, so perhaps the team reunites with old friend Andy Dalton. The quarterback is a free agent, has familiarity with these receivers, and is still a competent short-term starter.
Main Photo: Matthew Hinton – USA Today Sports
