Niles Carpenter – Saints Contributor

The New Orleans Saints are making their intentions clear for the upcoming NFL season: Derek Carr will be their starting quarterback. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis expressed his excitement during the NFL Scouting Combine, stating, “I think we feel like we’ve got a guy we can win with.” Carr, who signed a four-year, $150 million deal with the Saints in 2024, faced speculation about his future due to his hefty $51.4 million cap number for 2025.

However, Loomis, known for his expertise in salary cap maneuvering, appears confident in restructuring Carr’s contract to address the club’s projected $60 million cap overage. Carr’s leadership and experience will be pivotal as the Saints aim to build on their progress under new Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore.

Moore, speaking at the Combine, reinforced the team’s commitment to Carr, praising his decision-making and leadership. “We feel fortunate to have Derek here. He’s a big-time quarterback in this league,” Moore said. While Carr’s career record of 77-92 and lack of playoff wins may raise questions, the Saints remain optimistic about his potential to lead a resurgence in New Orleans.

Additionally, Moore’s arrival has revitalized the Saints’ offensive strategy, with returning staff members like offensive line assistant Jahri Evans and wide receivers coach Keith Williams providing stability to the unit. Meanwhile, the Saints continue addressing their defensive staff needs, highlighted by the hiring of Texas standout Terry Joseph as the defensive pass game coordinator.

The Saints have also bolstered their coaching ranks with the addition of Peter Sirmon, former Cal defensive coordinator, as their new linebackers coach. Sirmon’s defenses at Cal were renowned for their ability to force turnovers, leading the nation in fumbles recovered in 2023.

His arrival, coupled with Terry Joseph’s expertise in pass defense, underscores the team’s focus on creating a dominant defensive identity. Other key hires include Brendan Nugent as offensive line coach and Chase Haslett overseeing tight ends. With the coaching staff nearly complete and Carr entrenched as the starter, the Saints are positioning themselves for a competitive season.