When the New Orleans Saints signed veteran quarterback **Derek Carr** in the 2024 offseason, many viewed it as a significant upgrade for the franchise. After years of uncertainty following the retirement of legendary quarterback **Drew Brees**, Carr was brought in to stabilize the position and lead the Saints back to playoff contention. However, just a year into his tenure, whispers are starting to swirl: Is Derek Carr already on the hot seat with the Saints?
Carr’s arrival in New Orleans was seen as the beginning of a new era, one where the Saints could once again compete for the NFC South title and possibly beyond. His pedigree as a former Pro Bowler and his years of experience with the Las Vegas Raiders suggested he would fit in well with the Saints’ high-powered offense, led by head coach **Dennis Allen** and offensive weapons like **Chris Olave** and **Michael Thomas**.
However, as the 2025 season unfolds, cracks are beginning to show. Carr’s struggles with consistency, combined with New Orleans’ underwhelming performances, have raised questions about whether the franchise made the right decision in choosing him to be their quarterback of the future. As the season progresses, Carr finds himself under increasing pressure to deliver results—results that may not be so easy to come by.
So, what’s driving the narrative that Carr is already on the hot seat in New Orleans, and what does this mean for the Saints’ future?
### The Derek Carr Experiment: High Expectations, Early Struggles
When Derek Carr was signed to a lucrative four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints in the spring of 2024, expectations were high. After all, the Saints had spent a few years trying to find the right replacement for Brees, but with no long-term solution in sight. Carr’s solid track record in Las Vegas, despite the Raiders’ playoff struggles, gave the Saints hope that they could once again become contenders in the NFC South.
At his best, Carr has been a capable and consistent passer, with a strong arm and the ability to execute deep throws. In 2023, his final year with the Raiders, Carr threw for 3,500 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions—a stat line that, while not exceptional, was certainly good enough to help lead a team to the playoffs. The Saints, a team with a strong defense, decent skill players, and a winning tradition, believed they were just one piece away. Carr seemed like the answer.
However, things haven’t gone as smoothly as many hoped. Early in 2025, Carr has struggled to find consistency. His chemistry with the Saints’ receiving corps has been a work in progress, with wide receivers like Chris Olave and Michael Thomas still waiting to hit their stride with their new quarterback. While Carr has shown flashes of brilliance—especially in a thrilling comeback win against a division rival—his performance has been erratic, with missed throws, questionable decision-making, and an inability to execute in clutch situations.
Carr’s struggles have been exacerbated by an offensive line that has underperformed and a running game that’s failed to take the pressure off the passing attack. In some key moments, Carr has looked unsure of himself, especially in high-stress situations. There have even been reports of frustration from his teammates, suggesting that Carr’s leadership has been called into question.
This has led to mounting pressure on Carr to turn things around. The Saints, despite a relatively weak NFC South division, have been unable to string together enough wins to pull away from their competition. The expectation is that Carr, as the veteran signal-caller, should be able to elevate this team. So far, he’s struggled to do that, and as the team falls short of expectations, it has left fans and analysts wondering: Is this the quarterback the Saints were looking for?
### Factors Contributing to Carr’s Hot Seat
A variety of factors contribute to the narrative that Derek Carr is already on the hot seat in New Orleans. Let’s break them down:
#### 1. **Inconsistent Play on the Field**
Carr’s inconsistency as a passer has been a significant source of frustration for the Saints’ coaching staff, players, and fans alike. His performances have fluctuated dramatically from game to game. One week, he’ll throw for over 300 yards and lead a dramatic comeback. The next, he’ll struggle to reach 200 yards and make costly turnovers. In a division that has been relatively wide open, the Saints expected more stability from their quarterback.
The Saints’ offensive scheme, designed by offensive coordinator **Pete Carmichael**, relies on timing, accuracy, and quick decision-making, all areas in which Carr has shown mixed results. There are growing concerns that Carr may not be the right fit for this offense, which may ultimately cause the Saints to look elsewhere if these struggles continue.
#### 2. **No Clear Long-Term Solution**
Carr’s contract, though lucrative, doesn’t guarantee a long-term future in New Orleans. While his deal is front-loaded, and the Saints would have some flexibility in terms of cap space, the franchise might not want to remain locked into a quarterback who isn’t meeting expectations. New Orleans has already committed to a significant amount of money for Carr, but if the team continues to struggle with his leadership under center, the front office may be forced to make a tough decision sooner rather than later.
Carr was expected to be the stabilizing force at the position, but without visible growth or sustained success, it raises questions about whether the team needs to look for another solution. Given that the Saints have made significant investments in their roster, they can ill-afford to waste another year of contending for a championship without a reliable quarterback.
#### 3. **A Defending Defense But an Uninspiring Offense**
The Saints have one of the best defenses in the NFL, led by stars like **Cameron Jordan** and **Marshon Lattimore**. Their defense has kept them in games, often giving them an opportunity to win, but it can only do so much. The offense, under Carr, has failed to produce at a high enough level to keep pace with teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, and Carolina Panthers.
As a result, there’s a growing sense of wasted potential in New Orleans. The defense is built to win now, and while Carr has had solid moments, he has yet to show that he can consistently produce enough points to complement his team’s strong defense. This imbalance puts increasing pressure on the offense to perform at a high level—and Carr, as the leader of that offense, is feeling the heat.
#### 4. **The Rise of Young Quarterbacks in the NFC South**
The NFC South, once a division dominated by the likes of Brees and **Matt Ryan**, has seen a shift in recent years toward younger quarterbacks. The Falcons are developing **Desmond Ridder**, the Panthers have **Bryce Young**, and the Buccaneers are in a position to possibly draft or develop a young signal-caller. These quarterbacks represent the future of the division, and if Carr cannot perform at a high level, the Saints may feel compelled to move in another direction.
If Carr continues to struggle, the Saints could decide to pivot to a younger option, either through the draft or a trade. With the NFC South becoming more competitive, the window for the Saints to contend could close quickly if they don’t find stability at the quarterback position.
### What’s at Stake for Derek Carr?
As the 2025 season progresses, Derek Carr faces an uphill battle to prove his worth in New Orleans. If he can’t establish consistency and improve his play, the Saints could start looking for other options at quarterback. His contract doesn’t make him an unmovable asset, and New Orleans could look to make changes before the end of the season if the team is out of playoff contention.
However, all hope is not lost for Carr. If he can start to build better chemistry with his receiving corps, minimize his turnovers, and start executing in clutch moments, he can still turn the narrative around. The Saints are not yet out of the playoff hunt, and Carr has the talent to lead them there—but the pressure is certainly mounting. If he doesn’t perform soon, the Saints could be forced to reconsider whether he’s the right quarterback to lead them back to the postseason.
### Conclusion: The Clock Is Ticking for Derek Carr
Derek Carr’s time with the New Orleans Saints has been marked by promise but tempered by inconsistency. With mounting pressure to succeed, Carr faces a critical stretch of games that will determine his future in New Orleans. Whether he can turn things around and stabilize the Saints’ offense remains to be seen, but the 2025 season is already shaping up to be a pivotal one in Carr’s career. If the struggles continue, the hot seat under Carr could get much hotter—forcing the Saints to consider their options moving forward.