Saints, Derek Carr restructure contract to clear up cap space
The New Orleans Saints have restructured QB Derek Carr’s contract in an attempt to get the team closer to complying with the league's salary cap, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The move is expected to give the Saints a $23 million salary-cap relief.
Carr, who signed a four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints last March, was set to receive a $30 million base salary this season. The team opted to convert it into a signing bonus to move closer to cap compliance by the March 13 deadline.
However, this decision increases Carr's dead cap hit to $50 million in 2025, making it more challenging to part ways with him in the future, as per Spotrac on X.
The 32-year-old quarterback finished the season with 3,878 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions, leading the Saints to a 9-8 record.
Despite finishing tied for first place in the division, they lost the playoff tiebreaker to their rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This will not be the final move for the Saints, who remain $40 million over the salary cap. Expect more contract reconstructions and possible releases in the coming weeks.
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