Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis Addresses Derek Carr’s Shoulder Issue Amid Draft Preparations
In the heart of Metairie, Louisiana, the New Orleans Saints are gearing up for the NFL draft, but there’s a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the team. General Manager Mickey Loomis recently confirmed that quarterback Derek Carr is dealing with a shoulder issue. This revelation came during a predraft news conference, leaving fans and analysts alike speculating about the implications for the team’s future.
“He does have an issue with his shoulder; we’re hoping to get some resolution and clarity on that in the near future, and when we do, I’ll report back to you,” Loomis stated, keeping the details under wraps for now. The news of Carr’s shoulder problem first surfaced in early April, just days before the Saints were set to kick off their voluntary offseason workout program.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Carr’s health, Loomis assured that the team’s draft strategy remains unchanged. The Saints hold the ninth pick in the draft, which is set to begin Thursday night. “I don’t think the draft approach is different for us than it would be in any year,” Loomis explained. “We’re hoping for as many good players, great players, as we can find. And we’re fortunate enough this year to have multiple picks in the first four rounds and we’re excited about that because I think there’s some depth in this draft.”
Key Decisions on Player Options
In addition to addressing Carr’s situation, Loomis announced some significant decisions regarding player contracts. The team will be picking up the fifth-year option for wide receiver Chris Olave. Olave has been a crucial part of the Saints’ offense, starting 28 games for the team. However, his previous season was cut short, as he played in only eight games due to multiple concussions.
On the flip side, the Saints have decided not to exercise the fifth-year option for offensive tackle Trevor Penning. Penning, who started as the team’s left tackle in 2023, was later benched and moved to a starting right tackle role after the Saints drafted offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga in the first round of the 2024 draft.
“We are going to exercise the option on Chris and we’re not going to exercise the option on Trevor, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love Trevor and expect him to be part of our team going forward,” Loomis clarified, emphasizing the team’s continued support for Penning.
Financial Maneuvering and Future Implications
The Saints have been busy off the field as well, restructuring Carr’s contract in March to free up nearly $31 million in salary cap space. This was achieved by converting Carr’s base salary and roster bonus into a signing bonus. While this move reduced his 2025 cap hit to $20.4 million, it significantly increased his 2026 cap hit to $69.2 million and guaranteed his $40 million in salary and bonuses, effectively tying Carr to the Saints until next year.
There were whispers around the league that Carr might have been open to exploring the market before the contract restructure. Last season, Carr’s performance was hampered by an oblique injury and a fractured hand, limiting him to just 10 games.
When questioned about whether contract restructures typically require a player to pass a physical, Loomis responded, “Restructures can come in all sorts of forms,” leaving room for interpretation.
Team Morale and Future Prospects
Despite Carr’s absence from the team facility at the start of the offseason program, Loomis expressed satisfaction with the overall attendance and the team’s morale. “I feel really good about it, excited about the new staff, excited about some of the things that we’ve doing that are different, and I feel like, from a player standpoint, I just feel a level of excitement and enthusiasm that gives us a lot of positive feelings,” he shared.
- The Saints hold the ninth pick in the upcoming draft.
- Chris Olave’s fifth-year option has been picked up.
- Trevor Penning’s fifth-year option will not be exercised.
- Derek Carr’s contract restructure has opened up $31 million in cap space.
As the draft approaches, the Saints are poised to make strategic moves that could shape their future. With Carr’s shoulder issue looming, the team’s decisions in the coming days will be crucial in determining their trajectory for the upcoming season.
Originally Written by: Katherine Terrell
