Every offseason, each NFL team faces player departures that will change the outlook for the next season and beyond. The New Orleans Saints have been victims of this throughout history, but this offseason was interesting. The Saints had an underwhelming season in 2024, so the losses may not be as impactful as in other years. Still, for production, position value, or other reasons, three players stood out as very impactful departures from the Saints in 2025.
Derek Carr - Retirement
NFL: New Orleans Saints at Kansas City Chiefs Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
This is the obvious choice, but it needs to be talked about how impactful Derek Carr’s departure from the team is. Looking at this in a positive light, the Saints got massive cap relief after Carr’s retirement became official. Also, because the retirement was after June 1st, New Orleans was able to split the dead cap hit of Carr’s contract over two years. Financially, Carr’s departure has given the team a much better outlook for next season, and if little to no other moves are made, the Saints will be nearly in the positive to start next offseason.
Another more positive aspect of this departure is the culture. The tension of the Carr era was felt from near the beginning, with it reaching its height early in the offseason. There was a feeling that Carr wanted out, but the Saints knew how horrible a financial move that would have been. This was the main reason why New Orleans decided to restructure Carr’s contract, even if he did not want that to happen. A situation like this is never what a team wants to deal with, but it can be even worse with a whole new coaching staff entering their first year. Now, with Carr no longer on the team, the Saints can leave that era behind and start a fresh one in 2025.
Although there were clear positives with this departure, this is also a massive loss for the Saints. Yes, I know play on the field was bad at times, and the rising tensions needed to be dealt with, but Carr was still a decent QB to have as a starter. The Saints' roster, coaching staff, and injury history throughout the Carr era were not good, and it always felt like luck was never on the team’s side. Ultimately, these factors could have been self-inflicted, but it also never felt like this team showed their full potential. The Saints are still losing a massive amount of quarterback production from Carr’s departure. This could reflect in the short-term success of the team, but in the end, this departure was best for the Saints’ long-term future.
Paulson Adebo - Free Agency
New Orleans Saints v Atlanta Falcons Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
The next impactful departure that needs to be discussed is cornerback Paulson Adebo. When Adebo went down with a season-ending injury against the Denver Broncos, the quality of play at cornerback took a massive hit. Even with some horrible penalties throughout the season, Adebo was needed on this defense, and at only 25 years old, he could also be a piece for the team's future success. It would be difficult for the Saints to retain him, but after looking at New Orleans' other moves in free agency, they could have done it. Ultimately, Adebo may not have wanted to return to the team or may not have liked what the Saints offered him. The New York Giants won the race and signed Paulson Adebo to a 3-year, $54,000,000 contract.
With Adebo leaving in free agency, the Saints have a depleted cornerback room. Kool-Aid McKinstry is believed to be the CB1, Alontae Taylor should be in the “star” role of Brandon Staley’s defense, and the third cornerback spot is up for grabs between Isaac Yiadom, Quincey Riley, Ugo Amadi, and potentially another cornerback signed in free agency. This is a much different group compared to the start of last season, when Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo were on the team. Although this cornerback room has potential, with either one injury or Kool-Aid McKinstry not making the 2nd year improvements that are expected, cornerback could be an extreme weakness of this defense.
Lucas Patrick - Free Agency
NFL: OCT 07 Saints at Chiefs Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Last offseason, Lucas Patrick was signed by the Saints on a 1-year, 1,347,500 contract, and he completely outplayed that number. New Orleans had a massive hole at LG going into the season, and after throwing Patrick into that spot, the Saints found their starter for the season. Due to an unfathomable number of injuries to the offensive line, Patrick was forced to fill in other roles and move around. He also dealt with injuries, but when on the field, when the Saints asked him to do something, he did it. At times, it did not look great, but Patrick fixing every issue was never the expectation. Going into the offseason, the Saints again had a massive need at LG, and Patrick was still available. The contract may have needed more than last off-season’s, but it was probably worth it as a short-term fix. The longer the offseason went, the less likely it was that Patrick would return, and the Bengals ended up signing him to a 1-year, 2,100,000 contract.
If the Saints brought back Patrick this offseason, a starting spot was not guaranteed, and with where the Saints' 2025 expectations are, the Bengals look like a much better destination. New Orleans may have wanted Patrick back on another cheap contract, but Patrick may have wanted to start fresh again. Not bringing back Patrick to this current offensive line is going to hurt the depth of the team. Right now, Trevor Penning is slotted in at the starting LG spot, and Dillon Radunz was signed to compete for that position. Whoever loses out will be good depth for this team, but both players have struggled throughout their careers. It may not be the best outcome that one of these players needs to come in and fill a spot. If Patrick had been brought back, the Saints would have known that he could easily have been slotted in if an injury had occurred, or even if Penning was not ready to become the starting LG. Also, the Saints may have signed Patrick on a cheaper contract than Radunz’s. Great teams have quality roster depth, and with how frequent offensive line injuries occur, there is a chance the Saints miss what Lucas Patrick could have brought to the team.
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