Football fans are teeing off on the New Orleans Saints for a mind-boggling change to the contract of veteran quarterback Derek Carr.
On Friday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Saints restructured Carr’s deal to clear $23 million in cap room for 2024. While that move helps the Saints in the short-term, the adjustment in his contract carries significant long-term cap repercussions.
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As noted by NFC South reporter Greg Auman of FOX Sports, Carr’s 2025 cap hit now jumps all the way up to $50.5 million, and to $61.5 million in 2026. Auman added that there will also be a $17.2 million dead money charge for 2027-28:
It’s indeed a questionable move for an ageing team that has now missed out on the postseason for three straight years, and social media wasted little time ripping the New Orleans front office for making this move:
Since Drew Brees’ 2021 retirement, the Saints have constantly restructured the deals of veteran players in order to clear up short-term cap space…knowing that the rapidly-growing bill is going to have to be paid eventually.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 12: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
But once again, the New Orleans front office and coaching staff are going with the “let’s try this one more time” mindset. It hasn’t worked up to this point, and history tells us it won’t work next year, either.
