Did the Saints drop the ball? Coaches reportedly blindsided by Derek Carr injury news

The New Orleans Saints find themselves at a critical crossroads after the surprising revelation that quarterback Derek Carr is battling a shoulder injury, one that could sideline him for the entire 2025 season. What makes this situation particularly alarming isn’t just the timing—barely two weeks before the NFL Draft—but the unsettling lack of internal awareness surrounding the injury.

According to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell, several assistant coaches within the Saints’ organization were "unaware" of Carr’s condition until the news broke publicly. It's still unclear when the franchise first learned about the injury, a detail that only adds to the speculation about how this situation has been managed internally.

The injury, which may require surgery, was first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on April 11. Since then, the NFL community has been buzzing with confusion and suspicion. On The Herd with Colin Cowherd, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini revealed that insiders have described the situation as "fishy," with one head coach bluntly labeling it "trade bait." Even within the Saints organization, Russini noted, there were whispers that "something strange was boiling."
This sense of mystery comes on the heels of an already strained relationship between Carr and the Saints. Back in January, the four-time Pro Bowler made headlines by stating he “wouldn’t” accept a pay cut to help the team’s cap space. It was also reported by Terrell and Jeremy Fowler that Carr was exploring free agency options before the team restructured his contract—essentially locking him in for another year.
That restructuring wasn’t just a paperwork shuffle. As Terrell explained, "League sources told ESPN that Carr was open to testing the market and looking elsewhere in the days leading up to the restructure. New Orleans has language in all of its players' contracts called the 'automatic conversion clause' that allows the team to restructure any contract. According to the language in the contract, a refusal or failure to promptly execute the new contract would put the player in default of the contract." In return, Carr had his $40 million base salary and $10 million roster bonus fully guaranteed for 2025, giving the team financial flexibility but binding them to a potentially unavailable quarterback.
Now, with the draft looming and Carr’s health in question, the Saints’ quarterback room looks worryingly thin—featuring only Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and Ben DiNucci. That lack of depth is a major concern if Carr does end up missing the season. And given his rocky offseason and the apparent openness to parting ways, it seems both parties might benefit from a fresh start.
The Saints currently hold the No. 9 overall pick, and the buzz around Shedeur Sanders being their potential choice has grown louder. Comparisons are already being made to last year’s surprise move by the Atlanta Falcons, who drafted Michael Penix Jr. just months after signing Kirk Cousins. That move, initially criticized, now seems savvy after Cousins struggled and Penix gained early experience.
Whether Derek Carr is prepared for a similar situation may not matter. The Saints are clearly evaluating long-term options, and if a promising quarterback is available on draft night, the team might not hesitate. Carr’s injury has reshaped New Orleans’ offseason narrative—and possibly their future under center.
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