Why the Four-Time Pro Bowl Quarterback’s Retirement Is Beneficial for the Saints

Following the departure of Drew Brees in 2021, the New Orleans Saints haven't been successful in acquiring a suitable quarterback to lead and unite the team. After the string of single-season replacements, an investment was made in the long-term future of the team by signing a veteran quarterback from the Las Vegas Raiders. In the 2023 offseason, Mr. Derek Carr agreed to a four-year, $150 million deal in which he would be responsible for reinvigorating the team, ending their consecutive-year absence from the playoffs, and likely be involved in the training of potential successors before his departure when his contract ends. Carr’s initial season with the Saints would result in a 9-8 season, which was expected for both the QB and offense, who were continuing to become accustomed to their playing styles and methods. Now with 17 games of unified experience, it was anticipated that ’24 and ’25 would see New Orleans utilizing their well-trained roster, which appeared to have the potential to play as well as they did during the Brees/Payton era. 

However, due to injuries he sustained consisting including a concussion, fracturing his left hand, and perhaps to his shoulder in their Week 14 game against the New York Giants, Derek Carr would be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Even with their earlier coaching change after seven consecutive losses and the win/loss status of 4-8 before heading into this game, New Orleans Saints fans were hoping for some possibility of salvaging the remainder of the season. Without their starting quarterback and the position being entrusted to inexperienced backup Spencer Rattler, there wasn’t a lot of anticipation in qualifying for a Wild Card slot to make it into the Playoffs. Saints fans would again have to watch their team’s poor showing, which was worsened by the reminder of the expensive and unsuccessful “bet” the organization had made in order to avoid yet another intentionally forgotten chapter in their history.

Yesterday’s announcement of Derek Carr’s retirement from the NFL has by many analysts to believe that the New Orleans Saints are right back in the same position they were in about two years ago and will probably have another awful impending season. There are also many people who would disagree and would argue that Carr’s departure was expected and necessary for the team due to the months of uncertainty about his performance. Any coach will admit that instead of using the time and resources on a player who might be well enough to take the field in September, devote everything you have to the recent talent you chose during the draft. Referring to Carr as a “bad quarterback” wouldn’t be fair to him when you look at his stats during his 11-year professional football career and the reason for leaving the organization is due to injuries instead of lackluster leadership. What is realized by members of the team is that they need the next several months to prepare for what is certain right now, which is having a younger and healthier quarterback whom they can shape into and rely on when they’re on the field. This certainty will convince the players that they are capable of dismissing any doubt heard from their critics and again regain the enthusiasm from their long-term fans.