Derek Carr will be replaced by a 21-year-old prospect in the Saints-Commanders trade prediction.

Here’s a deep dive into a bold hypothetical trade that would send veteran quarterback Derek Carr to Washington in exchange for the right to add a 21‑year‑old franchise‑caliber passer, reshaping the futures of both the Saints and Commanders.

In this scenario, the New Orleans Saints agree to send Derek Carr—one of the league’s most consistent veterans—to the Washington Commanders in exchange for Washington’s 2025 second‑round pick (No. 42 overall) and a conditional 2026 first‑rounder. New Orleans immediately turns that 2025 pick into North Carolina phenom Drake Maye, a 21‑year‑old with prototypical size, accuracy and rushing upside. For the Saints, it signals a clear pivot from a win‑now veteran to a long‑term rebuild around a generational arm; for Washington, it represents a chance to salvage their 2025 campaign with a seasoned signal‑caller and buy time while their own draft pecking order plays out.

Derek Carr’s Saints tenure: veteran stability meets stalled progress

Derek Carr signed a four‑year, $150 million deal with New Orleans in March 2023 to reunite with head coach Dennis Allen, who had earlier overseen Carr’s development in Oakland . In his first season as a Saint, Carr started all 17 games, threw for 3,878 yards and 25 touchdowns, but the team finished 9–8 and missed the playoffs . The 2024 campaign began brightly—Carr posted a 142.5 passer rating in Week 1 and led New Orleans to a 2–0 start—but an oblique injury in Week 5 and a later fractured hand ended his year after ten games (2,145 yards, 15 TDs, 5 INTs) and coincided with coach Allen’s midseason dismissal .

At age 34, Carr ranks seventh all‑time in completions (3,765) and ninth in passing yards (41,245), and he’s a four‑time Pro Bowler (2015–17, 2022) . His efficient pocket play, leadership and steady production have kept New Orleans competitive, but the Saints’ offense has lacked dynamic play‑making and upside, prompting increasing chatter about a youth infusion under center.

Washington’s quarterback crossroads: veteran stopgaps and uncertainty

The Commanders enter 2025 without a clear long‑term answer at QB. Sam Howell, a fifth‑round pick in 2022, struggled as Washington’s starter in 2023, leading the NFL with 612 pass attempts but throwing 21 interceptions and enduring 65 sacks en route to a 4–13 record . He was shipped to Seattle this past offseason for mid‑round picks , leaving Washington with a troika of unearthed options: 30‑year‑old Marcus Mariota (one‑year deal, $6 million base) ; undrafted rookie Spencer Rattler; and second‑year swingman Jake Haener. None inspires confidence as a long‑term franchise cornerstone.

General managers across the league view Washington’s quarterback room as fertile ground for a veteran upgrade, and Carr’s availability—still under contract through 2026 at a $37.5 million cap hit next season—offers a bridge to contention and a stabilizing influence for a roster that otherwise projects 6–10 talent.

Prospect profile: Drake Maye, the 21‑year‑old phenom

Drake Maye emerged at North Carolina as one of college football’s most polished dual‑threat passers. Born August 30, 2002, he stands 6’4″ and weighs 225 lbs, blending arm talent with plus mobility . Over two seasons as a starter, Maye exploded for 7,326 passing yards, 56 touchdowns and a 70.4 percent completion rate, while adding 561 rushing yards and 12 scores . He was named First‑Team All‑ACC and the conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 after leading the nation in total offense .

Scouts praise Maye’s precise mechanics, ability to manipulate coverage with anticipation and comfort extending plays outside the pocket—traits that project seamlessly into a pro offense . His performances earned him a top‑five projection in every mock draft, and PFF’s big‑board ranks him No. 1 overall in the 2024 class .

Trade mechanics and draft strategy: turning picks into a franchise QB

In our projection, the Saints ship Carr plus a 2026 sixth‑rounder to Washington for the Commanders’ 2025 second‑rounder (No. 42) and a conditional 2026 first‑round pick. That 2025 pick slots New Orleans into the mid‑first round after a slight trade‑up on draft night, enabling them to leapfrog into the spot long reserved for a top quarterback. They then select Maye at No. 11 overall, securing his services on a rookie deal with four years of team control.

This framework mirrors recent offseason approaches by the Panthers and Cardinals, who leveraged veteran QBs to acquire franchise drafts; it balances Carr’s remaining contract value against Washington’s urgent need for experienced play. New Orleans preserves enough draft capital to bolster the roster around Maye, while Washington gains a pro-ready starter to stabilize its pivot towards the playoffs.

Immediate impacts: Saints embrace youth, Commanders chase relevance

For New Orleans, the challenge shifts to rapidly constructing an offensive roster around Maye. Sean Payton‑style vertical concepts and RPO schemes fit Maye’s skill set, but he’ll need swift chemistry with elite pass catchers Chris Olave and a healthy Michael Thomas. Cap savings from Carr’s departure—roughly $12 million in 2025 space—allow New Orleans to re‑sign key contributors or chase free‑agent play‑makers.

In Washington, Carr’s arrival elevates expectations. His veteran savvy and pocket presence could improve the Commanders’ offense from 19th in DVOA (2024), while Mariota and Rattler provide diverse looks in relief. Even if the trade costs a top‑pick concession, a 7–10 finish and a developing young roster may constitute progress in a division dominated by Philadelphia and Dallas.

Risks and reward calculus

Saints risk: Investing a premium pick on a rookie QB always carries performance uncertainty; Maye will face a steep NFL learning curve, and if he falters, New Orleans could face another multi‑year quarterback drought.
Commanders risk: Committing significant cap and draft resources for Carr may mortgage future flexibility; if he doesn’t elevate Washington into playoff contention, they’ll have limited high picks to replenish talent.

Yet the upside is clear: the Saints could unearth a generational quarterback on a rookie deal, while Washington obtains a stabilizing veteran to bridge its talent rebuild. In today’s NFL, where rookie contracts drive sustainable success, this hypothetical Carr–Maye swap captures both teams’ imperatives—youthful upside and immediate credibility.