The New Orleans Saints head into the 2025 NFL offseason with little reason for optimism. After a disappointing season, nearly everything went wrong for the team. Hopes were cautiously high following a 9-8 finish in 2023, especially after opening the new season with consecutive wins against the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys. But things quickly unraveled. With veteran quarterback Derek Carr struggling to stay on the field despite his $37.5 million salary, the Saints went on a seven-game losing streak and ultimately fired head coach Dennis Allen.
Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi stepped in as interim head coach, briefly sparking the team to back-to-back victories over the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns. However, the turnaround was short-lived. New Orleans lost five of their final six games, including a four-game skid to close the season.
Injuries to the 33-year-old Carr, an 11-year NFL veteran, further derailed the team. Carr played just 10 games, the fewest of his career, due to an oblique strain, a broken hand, and a concussion in Week 14 that ended his season. In his absence, sixth-round rookie Spencer Rattler and 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener filled in, with Rattler seeing the majority of snaps but failing to lead the team to a single victory.
Saints Primed for a Rebuild, Starting at Quarterback
As the Saints search for a new head coach, they appear poised for a full rebuild — which likely includes moving on from Carr. New Orleans faces a daunting $52.3 million salary cap deficit, but parting ways with Carr and his four-year, $150 million contract could provide some relief.
Releasing Carr before June 1 would saddle the team with over $50 million in dead cap, but a trade post-June 1 would reduce that figure to $11.5 million. The question remains: who will take over at quarterback?
Rattler could be an option, but some speculate the Saints could target New England Patriots backup Joe Milton III. According to Saintswire, Milton, known for his rocket arm, could be traded to New Orleans.
“Making this move would be about improving for the future,” wrote columnist Dylan Sanders. “Milton is raw but offers more excitement as a passer than the Saints have seen since Drew Brees. Though he only played one game as a rookie, he impressed, completing 75.9% of his passes for a touchdown and no interceptions in a win over Buffalo.”
Milton’s Upside
Milton’s physical tools are undeniable. He’s been clocked throwing an 80-yard pass at Peyton Manning’s Passing Academy and reached 62 mph on a sidearm throw in the end zone during his lone rookie start, the second-fastest ever recorded in the NFL.
At Tennessee, Milton completed 64.7% of his passes in his final season, racking up 2,813 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding seven rushing scores. The 6’5″, 247-pound quarterback also earned MVP honors in Tennessee’s 2022 Orange Bowl win over Clemson, where he threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns.
Financially, Milton’s rookie deal could be appealing for the cap-strapped Saints. With three years remaining on a four-year, $4.2 million contract, Milton would provide a cost-effective option to pair with Rattler as the team looks to rebuild its roster.
As analyst Anthony Palacios of Last Word on Sports noted: “Carr has already refused to take a pay cut. If the Saints decide to move on, they could let Rattler and Milton compete for the starting job.”
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