Due to uncertainties surrounding Derek Carr, the Saints free agent pitch lands a former $128 million All-Pro quarterback.

Here’s a comprehensive look at how New Orleans has turned to veteran quarterback Carson Wentz amid mounting questions over Derek Carr’s availability, examining the context, the pitch, Wentz’s pedigree, financials, scheme fit, and what it all means for the Saints’ 2025 outlook.

Summary:
The Saints’ quarterback room was thrown into disarray when reports emerged that Derek Carr faces a shoulder injury with the potential to sideline him for all or part of the 2025 season . With Carr still under contract but his health in doubt, New Orleans—a team holding the No. 9 pick in April’s draft and sitting on roughly $27 million in cap space—has opened discussions with former All-Pro Carson Wentz, who inked a four-year, $128 million extension in 2019 and brings playoff pedigree despite recent backup roles . Spotrac projects Wentz’s market rate at a modest one-year deal worth about $1.9 million, making him an affordable bridge option for a franchise that freed up over $60 million in cap space earlier this offseason . Wentz’s experience—including starting nine games across the past three seasons and serving as Patrick Mahomes’s primary backup in Kansas City in 2024—offers mentorship for any rookie passer the Saints may draft . This article delves into the Saints’ decision-making, Wentz’s career arc, cap implications, schematic fit under new coach Kellen Moore, and what fans and analysts are saying about this low‑risk, potentially high‑reward maneuver.

Background: Carr’s Uncertain Health and a QB Dilemma

On April 11, insiders revealed that Derek Carr sustained a shoulder injury severe enough that he “could miss part or all of the 2025 NFL season,” thrusting New Orleans into an unexpected quarterback crisis . Despite rumors of releasing or trading Carr, GM Mickey Loomis chose to restructure his contract—converting much of his $40 million salary into signing bonus to aid the cap—but kept him on the roster, signaling faith in his long‑term role while acknowledging immediate risk . This restructuring, alongside releases and pay cuts (including notable moves like restructuring Pete Werner’s deal), freed up north of $60 million in cap space by March, positioning the Saints to pursue reinforcements in free agency . Still, a strained shoulder and the looming possibility of surgery leave New Orleans with no in‑house starter beyond Carr and rookie Spencer Rattler, who struggled in brief 2024 duty.

Strategic Options: Draft vs. Free Agency

With the ninth overall pick in the 2025 draft, the Saints could select a college quarterback to develop—names like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart have circulated—but each carries developmental risk . In free agency, only a handful of quarterbacks with bona fide starting experience remain, chief among them Aaron Rodgers (41, no clear decision on his future) and Carson Wentz, who has spent the past two seasons in backup roles for playoff teams . Rather than invest a premium pick in a rookie who might sit behind Carr (or behind a veteran and then take over later), New Orleans has opted for a low‑cost, short‑term veteran solution to stabilize the position.

The Free Agent Pitch: Why Carson Wentz?

The Saints quietly reached out to Carson Wentz, banking on his veteran savvy and familiarity with playoff‑caliber environments . “The Saints hold the ninth pick in the draft and have $27 million in available cap space, although only a few quarterbacks with starting experience remain on the market,” wrote ESPN’s Katherine Terrell, highlighting the limited pool and Wentz’s standing atop it . Wentz, 32, backed up Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles (2023) before serving as Patrick Mahomes’s No. 2 in Kansas City (2024), offering him up‑to‑date exposure to two of the league’s most dynamic offenses . Though he has started just nine games over the last three years, his résumé includes leading the Eagles to the playoffs, accruing over 4,000 passing yards in 2019, and navigating the adversity of mid‑season benchings and injuries .

Carson Wentz: Career Highlights and All‑Pro Pedigree

Drafted No. 2 overall by Philadelphia in 2016, Wentz quickly ascended to Pro Bowl status in 2017, earning All‑Pro recognition before an ACL tear paved the way for Nick Foles’s Super Bowl MVP run . In June 2019, the Eagles rewarded him with a four‑year, $128 million extension (with $107 million guaranteed), the franchise’s richest QB deal at the time . Wentz’s best statistical season came that year when he threw for 4,039 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to hit 4,000 yards without a single 500‑yard receiver on his team . Later stints in Indianapolis (2021), where he tossed 27 TDs to seven picks en route to a 9‑8 finish, and a brief, injury‑marred stay in Washington (2022) tempered expectations, but his overall track record of leading a franchise justifies the one‑year “bridge” label.

Financial Implications and Salary‑Cap Management

In today’s market, a veteran quarterback with Wentz’s credentials commanding even a modest deal could strain resources; yet Spotrac projects him at roughly $1.9 million for one season—peanuts for a team with over $27 million in cap room . By comparison, the 2025 cap hit for Carr stands near $51.5 million—most of it dead money if moved—and restructuring cleared space only for short‑term solutions, not long‑term overhauls . A one‑year pact with Wentz allows New Orleans to maintain flexibility: draft and develop a rookie in 2025, evaluate Carr’s post‑injury form in 2026, and revisit the market in 2027 without a costly multi‑year commitment.

Scheme Fit: Under Kellen Moore’s Offense

New head coach/offensive play‑caller Kellen Moore brings a balanced, timing‑based system that prioritizes quick reads and intermediate throws—elements that suited Wentz’s strengths coming out of Philadelphia, where coach Doug Pederson’s West Coast‑leaning scheme demanded precision and pocket navigation . Moore’s offense also incorporates RPO (run‑pass option) elements and play‑action passes, areas where Wentz excelled early in his career and where Carr’s turnover issues under pressure crept up in 2024 . Pairing Wentz with playmakers like Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara, and under the guidance of Moore and QB coach Josh McCown (a longtime Wentz mentor), could unlock a controlled yet productive offense.

Comparison to In‑House and Draft Prospects

Remaining on the roster are Carr (uncertain health), rookie Spencer Rattler (limited NFL action, struggled in 2024), and practice squad arms—none offering proven starting performance . Drafting a passer at No. 9 remains tempting, but bridging him behind an established veteran aligns with the Saints’ win‑now ethos. In contrast, options like Shedeur Sanders bring upside but carry rookie miscues, and Jaxson Dart’s accuracy remains a question mark . Wentz, by contrast, knows NFL defenses, has managed locker rooms, and can handle huddle reads, making him a safer floor if the Saints aim to stay competitive in a winnable NFC South.

Media and Fan Reaction

Initial fan reaction on social platforms ranged from mild surprise to cautious optimism: Saints Twitter noted, “Wentz isn’t the flashiest pick, but a cheap veteran is better than zero QB depth,” while local radio hosts debated whether he could rekindle his 2017 form . Analysts on ESPN and NFL Network praised the Saints’ shrewd use of cap space to secure a bridge quarterback without mortgaging future flexibility . Some commentators, however, view any stopgap as admission that Carr’s days in New Orleans may be numbered, fueling broader QB speculation for 2026.

Outlook: Low‑Risk, Potentially High‑Reward

By courting Carson Wentz, the Saints have staked out a balanced approach—hedging against Carr’s injury with a veteran whom they can afford and then pivot if a rookie or Carr rebound takes hold . Wentz’s success will hinge on chemistry with his new teammates, grasp of Moore’s system, and ability to stay healthy—factors that have bedeviled him in recent years. Yet for a franchise known for adaptability under Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton’s legacy of quarterback management, this free‑agent pitch reflects strategic pragmatism: spend little, gain experience, and keep all doors open for the future.

In the end, landing a former $128 million All‑Pro quarterback at minimal cost underscores the Saints’ priority on immediate competitiveness without sacrificing long‑term flexibility. Whether Carson Wentz can recapture his peak form, mentor a rookie, or simply hold serve for a rebuilding roster will determine if this low‑stakes gamble pays the dividends New Orleans desperately needs under center.