New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and new head coach Kellen Moore voiced their support Wednesday for Derek Carr as the team’s quarterback in 2025.
“I think we feel like we’ve got a guy we can win with and we’re excited about that,” Loomis said at the NFL Scouting Combine per multiple reports, including ESPN and NOLA.com.
Loomis showed a level of commitment to Carr that was lacking during Moore’s introductory press conference. While the first-time head coach said Carr is “a tremendous quarterback in this league,” he did not guaranteed anything regarding his starting status and emphasized that he’s “excited to team up with him and go through this process … just like any player on this roster.” Moore’s comments were more definitive during his combine availability Wednesday.
“We feel fortunate to have Derek here, the experience he has, and he’s a big-time quarterback in this league,” Moore said.
Carr, who turns 34 on March 28, is entering his third season in New Orleans after signing a four-year, $150 million free-agent contract in 2023. Injuries derailed last season as he missed a career-high seven games with abdomen and hand injuries. He finished with 2,145 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 67.7 completion percentage.
Still, all five of the Saints’ wins last season came with Carr under center. The Saints went 0-7 with a 17.5-point average margin of defeat in games started by backups Spencer Rattler (0-6) and Jake Haener (0-1). Carr led the team to a winning 9-8 record in 2023, which is tied for the best single-season performance for the Saints since Drew Brees retired.
All three quarterbacks remain on the roster ahead of the new league year and free agency on March 12. The Saints also hold the No. 9 pick — plus six selections in the first four rounds — in April’s draft.
Required reading
(Photo: Chris Graythen / Getty Images)
