Tag: Report

Report: Saints are set to make big decision on Derek Carr’s future

NFL Network reports the New Orleans Saints are set to decide on Derek Carr’s future. But cutting him won’t be easy, and he has a lot of leverage in trade talks:

The New Orleans Saints aren’t playing today, but here’s your Sunday splash report. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo shared some insight to the team’s big offseason decision on Derek Carr’s future with the team.

“He’s got a $10 million roster bonus that is fully guaranteed. And then he’s got another $30 million in base salary for this upcoming season that becomes guaranteed three days into the league year in March.”

There’s your deadline for the Saints to make a decision, but they’ll really need to act quicker. They’re in the red by more than $50 million and must be compliant with the salary cap no later than March 12. Carr has the heaviest salary cap hit on the team at $51.4 million. You do the math, or check here to see how the Saints could get under the cap after cutting him. It isn’t easy.

Garafolo continued: “So the Saints are gonna have to make a decision on what they want to do with Derek Carr, who does have a no-trade clause I might mention as well. The Saints (are) massively over the salary cap, what else is new, then they start to renegotiate contracts. I do know that quarterbacks who have $40 million basically in guarantees aren’t real quick to give that up. So if the Saints come to Carr and ask him to do that, I think he would resist, and then potentially could be gone.”

Carr has already made it known publicly that he would refuse to accept a pay cut. So the options are to restructure his contract and have this discussion again in 2026, or to try and work with him on a trade. Carr wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause to get from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Saints back in 2023. It’s a safe assumption he wouldn’t waive it to get from the Saints to another new team in 2025, especially if he has options waiting in free agency. That’s a scenario Garafolo sees as realistic.

“If he’s gone I would expect interest from multiple teams out there. There’s not a lot of great options both in free agency and the draft. He’ll have interest,” Garafolo finished.

Sure, the Saints could explore trading Carr. That would be less expensive than cutting him or restructuring his contract. But any team trading for him may prefer waiting to save their draft picks so they could sign him as a free agent, which would mean lowball offers for New Orleans. The quarterback has leverage here. Carr’s future may be in Kellen Moore’s hands if the Saints do officially hire him as their head coach. If Moore can see a path forward with Carr at quarterback, he’ll be back. If the new coach wants a new QB, the Saints could make it happen.

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ESPN: Kellen Moore to accept Saints job ‘barring an unexpected breakdown’

All signs have pointed to Kellen Moore being the next Saints head coach, and the latest report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter is greater confirmation:

The New Orleans Saints are expected to take another meeting after the Super Bowl with Kellen Moore. All signs point to that being a mere formality with the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator expected to accept the team’s head coaching job.

This has been the case for the last week since the Saints told other candidates the decision at head coach will be put off until after Super Bowl LIX. This positioned Moore as the obvious favorite. Then, reports of Moore beginning to build a coaching staff surfaced, which showcases a high level of mutual interest.

The latest update from ESPN’s Adam Schefter serves as a confirmation of previous assumptions. Schefter reported the expectation is the Saints and Moore will finalize a deal after the Super Bowl “barring an unexpected breakdown in contract talks.” Schefter said all of this during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show early this week, but now he’s putting it in writing.

Finances being the only potential hurdle between the two sides is a great sign of where they are. As the two sit down after the Super Bowl, that shouldn’t be a hard thing to come to terms with.

New Orleans has been aggressive in their pursuit of Moore, and it should be expected for them to compensate him appropriately.

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Report: Illness spreading among Eagles ahead of Super Bowl LIX matchup vs. Chiefs

According to a report, #Eagles DL Jalen Carter and other members of Philadelphia’s roster are dealing with an illness ahead of Super Bowl LIX

The Philadelphia Eagles may be without one of their star pass rushers when they face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, February 9.

According to a report from John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio told the media that defensive lineman Jalen Carter was dealing with an illness.

Though a follow-up post by Clark clarified that Fangio believes Carter will be ready to play against the Chiefs this weekend, the initial report indicated that the illness may have spread among Philadelphia’s players and coaching staff.

Check out Clark’s reports, which were posted to Twitter on Thursday:

Super Bowl LIX is shaping up to be one of the most exciting championship games in recent memory, and Carter’s absence would be a crushing blow for the Eagles, who will need all hands on deck to take down the Chiefs.

Stay tuned to see if Carter’s status changes before Sunday’s game.

Report: NFL considering electronic system to determine first downs

The end of Bills vs. Chiefs may spark a rule change, but it wouldn’t help the Bills even if the situation arises again:

The NFL is once again considering moving to an electronic system to determine first downs. The report from the Washington Post’s Mark Maske comes on the heels of a controversial play in the AFC Championship game.

Josh Allen was marked short of a first down by the referees during a critical fourth quarter drive, but there are many viewers who believe he did gain enough to get the first down.

The idea of electronically spotting the ball would correct this, in theory. In actuality, however, the same result will happen. An electronic system works as a safety measure for the officials, not a replacement, so the system doesn’t come into place until the ball is spotted.

You’d think by now you could install a chip that is able to tell you whether or not a runner crossed the first down line without the need to be spotted first. The NFL, though, is still trying to figure out a way to use this system. There was an attempt made during the preseason but didn’t progress further because “complaints about the amount of time taken to make first-down decisions.”

Utilizing electronic systems in this capacity could be the first step on a path to eliminate situations like the AFC Championship Game moving forward.

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ESPN: Chase Young open to Saints extension, but may ‘opt for stability’

It’s been previously reported that the Saints are open to re-signing Chase Young, and ESPN reports he’s open to it. But he may not accept another prove-it deal:

The New Orleans Saints have some interesting decisions to make when it comes to their 2025 free agency class. With 19 players set to be unrestricted free agents, there are a few near the top who are most definitely worth looking at retaining. One of those players is defensive end Chase Young, who had a solid season with the Saints in 2024, and according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, is open to sticking around:

“Young is open to a return to New Orleans, where he just played out a one-year deal — though a different defense could generate more sack opportunities for him. He might opt for stability over last year’s prove-it-deal status coming off a serious neck injury.”

In this article of the top 50 free agents, ESPN had ranked Young at No. 39 among his pending free agent peers.

Free agent contracts have always been nice to defensive ends, as their production can make or break a defense. In 2024, the top three DE-specific contracts had an average yearly value of $21.5 million (Leonard Williams), $19 million (Jonathan Greenard) and $14.5 million (Arik Armstead).

However 2025 is not as top heavy of a defensive end class, with Spotrac projecting the following yearly values for the top free agent DEs in 2025:

  • DeMarcus Lawrence: $12.0 million
  • Josh Sweat: $18.8 million
  • Chase Young: $17.5 million
  • Calais Campbell: $7.1 million

Re-signing Young will likely be a priority for the Saints, however doing so at a yearly rate of $17.5 million is quite the staggering price. It is doable, and the Saints may get a bit of a lower number if they go for a longer deal, but ultimately it will end up being a large contract whether he remains with the Saints or goes elsewhere.

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Mickey Loomis has informed Saints coach candidates a decision will wait until after Super Bowl LIX

NFL Network reports Mickey Loomis has informed several Saints coach candidates a decision will wait until after Super Bowl LIX, and he’ll continue negotiations with Eagles OC Kellen Moore:

This is big. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Friday afternoon that New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis informed several candidates in the team’s head coach search they’re effectively out of the race — and that “while there has been no final decision, he plans to continue discussions with Kellen Moore.”

The Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator cannot speak with the Saints again until after Super Bowl LIX, but Pelissero adds that a meeting has already been scheduled. Expect the Saints to formally hire Moore on or around Monday, Feb. 10 and announce him as the team’s new head coach.

Unless there’s a last-minute hiccup, anyway. Moore could change his mind and the Saints would have to pivot to someone else, but that doesn’t feel likely. Look at what just happened to Bobby Slowik. Like Moore, he was a fast-rising offensive coordinator for a playoff team, drawing interviews for head coach openings himself just one year ago. Then the Houston Texans fired him after a second-year slump. Moore is striking while the iron is hot.

So never say never. Don’t celebrate and toss the ball away until after you’ve crossed the goal line. But for all intents and purposes, Moore is positioned to become the next head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Who could join him on staff? We’ve got six names to keep in mind, and some free agents he could target in the offseason, too.

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Eagles star may return for Super Bowl LIX matchup vs. Chiefs

Brandon Graham may return to the #Eagles’ starting lineup when Philadelphia faces off against the Kansas City #Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

The Philadelphia Eagles received some good news on Thursday ahead of their matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

According to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter, star defensive lineman Brandon Graham is set to return to practice with the Eagles this week after a stint on Philadelphia’s injured reserve list.

Graham is an accomplished pass rusher who is known for his ability to win one-on-one matchups against elite offensive linemen, which could throw a wrench in the Chiefs’ game plan for Super Bowl LIX.

Take a look at Schefter’s update on Graham, which was posted to Twitter from his official account:

Given that Kansas City’s offensive tackles have struggled at times this season, Graham’s return may spell disaster for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Stay tuned to see if Kansas City will elect to continue playing All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney at the left tackle position to mitigate Graham’s impact when the Chiefs face off against the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.

There’s a Ben Johnson-shaped hole in the Saints coaching search

There’s a Ben Johnson-shaped hole in the New Orleans Saints head coach search. Why hasn’t this year’s top option been linked to their job opening?

There’s a Ben Johnson-shaped hole in the New Orleans Saints head coach search. Johnson, the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, has been a popular candidate in this year’s hiring cycle. He’s interviewed with teams including the New England Patriots (who hired Mike Vrabel instead), Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, and Las Vegas Raiders.

But not the New Orleans Saints. Why hasn’t this year’s top option been linked to their job opening? It’s been reported that the New York Jets chose to not request an interview with him, and there’s speculation he could meet with the Dallas Cowboys after their late arrival to the market. But the Saints stand apart. Johnson’s absence in all the reporting surrounding their search is conspicuous.

Maybe they didn’t feel like he was a good fit, like the Jets reportedly did. If Johnson wants to team up with a new hire at general manager, he may have balked at the situation in New Orleans where he’d be working under the league’s longest-tenured GM. Reports say Johnson made his disinterest in what the Jets had to offer known around the league.

Or maybe the Saints did request an interview with Johnson and were rebuffed. That’s rarely reported — his teammate Aaron Glenn declined an interview request from the Patriots in this cycle’s most notable rejection — but it does happen, and it’s the kind of thing Loomis and the Saints would want to keep under wraps if it did happen. That would be an embarrassing mark against the operation they’re running and what they have to offer to candidates for the job.

It’s no secret the Saints have less to offer than most other teams looking for a new coach. They lack the salary cap resources to sign impact players in free agency. They don’t have a history of drafting well. They’re effectively stuck with Derek Carr’s bad contract. Loomis enjoys rare job security given his lack of success, so if that chemistry is off, a new coach like Johnson would just have to grin and bear it.

Johnson is in a rare position of strength, too, where he can pick and choose where he wants to go. He doesn’t have to, say, hit up the McDonald’s drive-through with Al Davis like Sean Payton once did just because it’s offered to him. Maybe the Saints realized that and chose not to reach out in the first place to avoid the potential embarrassment of getting publicly rejected. If so, that’s the kind of self-awareness Loomis and Co. could really benefit from. But right now we just don’t have enough information to say one way or another. Either way, it’s disappointing that such a promising candidate like Johnson doesn’t appear to be in their plans.

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Dennis Allen could have a quick return to coaching after all

Dennis Allen felt he could land on his feet after being fired, and his upcoming interview for Colts defensive coordinator is a sign of that:

Dennis Allen recently reflected with Jay Glazer on his firing from New Orleans. One of the sentiments he expressed was feeling worse for his younger staff members than himself, because Allen has connections around the league to where he was confident he would land on his feet.

Proof of that statement is already coming to light. The Indianapolis Colts are interviewing plan to speak with Allen for their vacant defensive coordinator position, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. A subsequent report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed Allen will meet with the Colts this Friday.

In addition to the Colts, Fowler said “Allen is expected to be a prime candidate for other opportunities due to his work with New Orleans’ defense over the years.” Rapoport expressed the same sentiment.

The New Orleans Saints became a dominant defense during Allen’s tenure as the defensive coordinator. They were top-15 in points allowed from 2017-2020, top-10 in three of those seasons. Allen put together back to back seasons in the top-10 of yards allowed.

Things began to decline shortly after he ascended to head coach and got really bad this season. New Orleans began allowing more yards and then finally dropped out of the top-10 points allowed this past season.

That could be a sign of players departing, players getting older, or possibly it means he needs to simply focus on the defense. When he did that, the defense was strong.

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A surprising candidate just emerged in the Saints head coach search

A surprising candidate just emerged in the Saints head coach search. NFL Network reports they’ll interview longtime Stanford coach and Broncos executive David Shaw:

Now this is a welcome surprise. NFL Network’s Jane Slater reports that the New Orleans Saints are planning to interview David Shaw in their search for a new head coach. Shaw had a great run at Stanford coaching college football before he joined the Denver Broncos as a senior personnel executive, teaming up with one of his longtime admirers Sean Payton.

Shaw went 96-54 at Stanford, where he coached up future NFL stars like Andrew Luck and Christian McCaffrey. But he has plenty of pro experience as an assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, then-Oakland Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens earlier in his coaching career.

And Payton is a big supporter of his, having recruited Shaw to Denver when he bowed out after a 12-year run at Stanford. Back in 2022, Payton stumped for an NFL team to go get him:

“I worked with David Shaw in Philadelphia (with the Eagles), I think he’s an extremely bright candidate. Stanford graduate, he coaches at his alma mater. Every time I bring his name up, everyone says ‘David’s staying in college.’ And I understand that. … Why is it that a young, talented coach, Stanford graduate, West Coast Offense, offensive guy; and I always begin with David because I know him, I know how talented he is. Now he may turn down all of those opportunities. But you know what, he didn’t have those opportunities where someone said, ‘We have to have him.’ Because someone said ‘We have to have (other college coaches like) Nick (Saban), or Steve (Spurrier), or Matt (Rhule).’”

When Shaw’s time at Stanford ended and he did come to the NFL, Payton acted quickly to bring him into the fold. And now Shaw is throwing his hat into the ring to be a pro-level head coach himself. He’s a fascinating candidate as an established program builder with tons of connections around the league. Maybe he could be the breath of fresh air Saints fans have been calling for after their worst season in 19 years.

Update: New reports say the Saints do not have plans to interview Shaw “at this time.”

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