Derek Carr's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The New Orleans Saints restructured quarterback Derek Carr's contract on Friday for salary cap purposes, a move that was expected to give the team around $23 million in cap relief for the 2024 season, according to sources. Carr is due $30 million in base salary this year, so converting a portion of that into a signing bonus provides immediate savings. The 32-year-old veteran signal-caller is under contract with the Saints through 2026. In his first year in the Big Easy, he threw for 3,878 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions while amazingly not missing a single game despite suffering multiple concussions, cracked ribs and a shoulder sprain. Carr is as tough as they come and can give fantasy managers low-end QB1 lines on occasion, but he's best drafted as a fantasy backup.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is set to count $35.7 million against the salary cap in 2024, and his contract presents an opportunity for the team to create some more cap space by March 13, the start of the new league year. The Saints are expected to restructure Carr's contract by that date, which would effectively tie the team to Carr for at least the next two seasons. Leaving Carr's contract alone would have allowed them to move on from Carr next year with a relatively small financial penalty. The 32-year-old is set to make $30 million in base salary in 2024. If the Saints choose the most aggressive route and convert all but the veteran minimum to a signing bonus, they could lower Carr's cap hit in 2024 to around $14.2 million, which would clear more than $21 million in immediate cap relief. Carr got better down the stretch in 2023 and finished his first year in New Orleans with 3,878 passing yards, 25 TDs and eight picks while playing through a sprained AC joint in his shoulder, fractured ribs and two concussions.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr played his best game of the season in Week 18's blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons. Carr completed 22-of-28 passes for 264 yards for four touchdowns in the dominant 48-17 victory. The veteran quarterback finished his first campaign in New Orleans with 3,614 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. With Tampa Bay winning today, the Saints now await the result of the Green Bay and Seattle games as they hang onto a thread of hope to continue their season.