When the Saints signed quarterback Derek Carr two years ago after he was released by the Raiders, the contract was structured as a two-year guarantee with a team option thereafter.
Sooner rather than later, we’ll find out what the Saints choose to do.
For now, Carr is optimistic.
Via Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com, Carr said Monday that he has had “super positive” talks to the team about 2025.
“I have to take care of myself and the rest is really out of my hands,” Carr said, according to Terrell. “I’ve had great conversations with everyone in this building with (GM) Mickey (Loomis), with (owner) Mrs. (Gayle) Benson, with everyone. And we all have feelings for each other, so my trust level is very high and What can happen, what could happen. And we have shown what could be at times. The difficult part is that we had to deal with some things that we couldn’t see in their entirety all the time.
His $30 million 2025 salary will become fully guaranteed on the third day of the league year in March. Currently the money is guaranteed in case of injury; If the hand injury that caused him to miss the final four games of the season has not healed enough to allow him to pass a physical by then, the $30 million obligation will be fully vested.
One thing is clear for now. Carr will accept no less.
“I wouldn’t take a pay cut,” Carr said. “Yeah, I wouldn’t do that. Especially with what I recorded. Would I restructure? Absolutely. I’ll always help the team that way. But there are some things you put in that you earned. Even in some In some cases it could be even worse, but when I signed him I felt confident that this would give the team the best flexibility at that time. But there is always a kind of respect as a quarterback you are so respectful lane. good. Build the team.” But yeah, I wouldn’t take anything less to do this. It’s hard enough putting our bodies through this and you’re trying to get as much as you can for your family.”
Most multi-year veteran contracts have a clause that gives the team the ability to restructure the deal without the player’s consent. That involves converting a portion of the salary into a guaranteed payment that is then spread out over several years, reducing your maximum number for the current year.
At the very least, a restructuring is coming. His salary figure for next year is 51,458 million dollars.
Cutting Carr with a post-June 1 appointment would result in a dead money charge of $11.458 million in 2025, with another $28.674 million hitting the cap in 2026.
Carr currently has a fully guaranteed roster bonus of $10 million that also expires in March. If released, he would be subject to compensation. The Saints would avoid the obligation if he earns more than $10 million in 2025 with another team.
Then there’s the fact that the team will hire a new coach. Presumably, the coach will have a say in whether Carr will return.
If he is cut, it will happen early enough in free agency to give him a full and fair chance to land on a new team.
All of this assumes Carr’s hand will be healed by mid-March. If not, there isn’t much of a decision to make. He will be owed $40 million, fully guaranteed.