Saints head coach Kellen Moore introductory press conference, media updates, February 13, 2025 (55 Viewers)

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Agreed

I’m rewatching/listening to his press conference and I’m now starting to see why Trip said he didn’t commit to Carr.

Trip said “following up on Derek, do you view that as you guys have a decision to make at Quarterback or you view it as Derek Carr is the quarterback”

The key word was “The” Quarterback and Kellen’s response was “I view it as Derek Carr is “a” tremendous starting QB in this league, we’re fortunate to have him, and we’re excited to go through this process”

I’m going to echo my last post, I think they approach Carr on a paycut (I don’t think they have already, I think Derek volunteered that he wouldn’t do it publicly) and if he balks, you find a trade partner for a “tremendous starting QB in this league”.

This being a weak QB draft works in our favor. Part of me hopes he takes the paycut and is available as an extra resource for Rattler, the other part says get some/ a pick for him and continue building a middle class for this roster.

I hope it’s the former. He’s more valuable on the team.

 

[DSnfla]

Interviews/Hires are a collaborative effort.



Case in point. Mickey had consistently said this is a talented roster that was ravaged by injuries. The complete opposite of what some people here have said to force the narrative of why we need a complete reset.



The belief in the talent on the roster has kept Loomis in a competitive mode. Notice Moore committed to saying they can compete for the NFC South title. He echo’d Loomis.



While reading an article on the Seahawks Mac McDonald said that each OC was asked about their plan for WR DK Metcalf and Kubiak’s vision was the most ideal.



I can almost guarantee, Kellen was asked about specific players and the vision and they lined up w/ Loomis (and the other decision makers) vision. Perhaps not 100% but enough that they can agree on key details. We know Ireland likes to build Oline/Dline etc.



What that means is that in their initial conversation, Carr came up, Rattler came up, and several other talking points like the cap were discussed and they saw a similar vision(or at least calmed concerns about each other) meaning that the questions he sidestepped, they have answers and a vision to despite not committing to anything verbally w/ the press.

I went back and watched Allen’s press conference and he waa calm, composed, and thoughtful. Ultimately his leadership was none of that, meanwhile Kellen was nervous, excitable and measure, but it doesn’t mean that’s how he’ll interact w/ the players behind the scenes.

I’ve learned how a coach speaks publicly means diddly squat for how he leads behind the scenes.

I’m excited for Moore

I completely agree. ML was right that the team has more talent than most are giving them credit for, and that decimating injuries was the biggest derailment of the team this past yr. Yes DA was not a good HC and need to be replaced. I'm glad that Moore shares ML's assessment

 

[DSnfla]

Tripp asked the point blank question if he viewed it as the Saints having a decision to make at quarterback, or do you view Derek Carr as our starting quarterback, and he was non-committal. Called him a tremendous starting quarterback in this league. If Carr was a lock to be on this roster, he would have answered the question with something that sounds like "Derek is our starting quarterback".

We may keep him, we may not, but it's pretty clear that they're going to weigh the options and make a decision. I'm not the only one who interpreted it this way.

I'm sorry but Nick is just wrong. He was not non-committal. When you say " Derek is a tremendous QB in this league. I have so much respect for him. The journey he has been on. He is a starter in this league. He is a premier player in this league. He has had a great journey. Going from Fresno State to the Raiders & now here. I'm really excited to team up with him. That's a very strong indicator that DC will be on the roster at least in 25.

He didn't say AK is my starting RB, did he? But we know who's going to start @ RB

 

[TalleyHo1]

I’m rewatching/listening to his press conference and I’m now starting to see why Trip said he didn’t commit to Carr.

Trip said “following up on Derek, do you view that as you guys have a decision to make at Quarterback or you view it as Derek Carr is the quarterback”

The key word was “The” Quarterback and Kellen’s response was “I view it as Derek Carr is “a” tremendous starting QB in this league, we’re fortunate to have him, and we’re excited to go through this process”

I’m going to echo my last post, I think they approach Carr on a paycut (I don’t think they have already, I think Derek volunteered that he wouldn’t do it publicly) and if he balks, you find a trade partner for a “tremendous starting QB in this league”.

This being a weak QB draft works in our favor. Part of me hopes he takes the paycut and is available as an extra resource for Rattler, the other part says get some/ a pick for him and continue building a middle class for this roster.

I hope it’s the former. He’s more valuable on the team.

Yeah….I go back and forth with it. You make a great point. Several posters have as well. Part of me wants to cut him this year but a couple of hours later, I want him to stay for another year but with some sort of re-worked deal. I just don’t know.

 

[DSnfla]

I don't listen to media personalities. I don't watch or listen to Mascona, he's cringe.

I'm capable of forming my own opinion. Carr is sometimes good, sometimes average, rarely ever horrific. He just doesn't fit the teams timeline. It wouldn't be wise for a first time head coach, walking into a situation where the roster needs to be rebuilt, to start an aging QB who has reached his ceiling in Derek Carr. The wise choice would be to see what you have with Rattler and assess from there. The kid got plenty of snaps in 2024. If Rattler shows that he's the guy (which I'll admit is a longshot), that's insanely good. Hit the lottery. If he isn't it, no worries - you'll land yourself a premiere pick. With said pick, you hopefully find your franchise quarterback to build around. It's a pretty proven formula.

Why would it make sense for a young first time HC, inheriting an aging roster that needs to be reset, to commit to an aging QB with no upside?

Carr is better suited on a team like NYG, where Daboll isn't getting another chance with a young QB, he needs to prove he can win now. Or Pitt, where Carr would likely be an upgrade to Wilson, and that team is wanting to contend. Not here.

You can form your opinion but from what Moore said today it looks like he does not share that opinion. That wise choice of yours is just an opinion and it goes along with a pretty much a throw away yr or even more.
No HC , FO , owner or even players would be onboard with a throw away yr. Let alone fans

It's my opinion that Moore ( From what he said today) thinks he can at least win the division with Carr and the talent we have and maybe a good draft. It's my opinion that since we all know DC is not the long term answer @QB is to keep him for a couple yrs all the while looking for the long term answer @ QB. All the while building the team through the draft and getting the cap manageable, which it will do especially if we draft well

Tearing it down like a lot of the people on here does NOT guarantee success. In fact it hardly ever does

 

[perret318]

He will be restructured. It's the only realistic option. The only other path I see is a trade, but that's too much of a long shot to really consider.

Please no. All the restructuring is why we're still $50M in the hole. If we're going to honestly assess, cut bait, and move forward, then do it. If Moore honestly thinks Carr is the franchise QB for the next 3-4 years, then great. But A) I don't think he does, and B) We need to stop extending contracts past players' obvious expiration date and spreading the pain out for years after they're either gone or past their prime.

Eat the hit this year. Let Kellen come in eyes wide open and say "Look, we're not going to fire you this year. This is what you've got to work with. Do the best you can this year, but focus on where we go from here."

The question is, does Loomis have the balls to suck this year in order to be more competitive for next year. My guess is no.

 

[Elvis]

I’m rewatching/listening to his press conference and I’m now starting to see why Trip said he didn’t commit to Carr.

Trip said “following up on Derek, do you view that as you guys have a decision to make at Quarterback or you view it as Derek Carr is the quarterback”

The key word was “The” Quarterback and Kellen’s response was “I view it as Derek Carr is “a” tremendous starting QB in this league, we’re fortunate to have him, and we’re excited to go through this process”

I’m going to echo my last post, I think they approach Carr on a paycut (I don’t think they have already, I think Derek volunteered that he wouldn’t do it publicly) and if he balks, you find a trade partner for a “tremendous starting QB in this league”.

This being a weak QB draft works in our favor. Part of me hopes he takes the paycut and is available as an extra resource for Rattler, the other part says get some/ a pick for him and continue building a middle class for this roster.

I hope it’s the former. He’s more valuable on the team.

I honestly don't see why Carr would take a pay cut or agree to waive his no trade clause. The original terms of his contract were fair for him. It was the way that the Saints manage the cap and that we were always going to be forced to kick his base salary in the 2nd year to a bonus that got us in trouble. It was a gamble for us (Dennis Allen) that we lost, but it was a very easy way to get guaranteed cash for him. Right now he's banking on the team being so tight on cash that they'll be forced to guarantee his $30m base rather than do a hard reset of the cap. He may be right about that, but I hope Loomis and Moore take the hit instead of giving in to restructuring him. That is literally the only leverage the team has at this point.

 

[DSnfla]

Probably the part where when asked if Derek Carr would be our starting quarterback about 10 minutes later, Kellen chose not to answer that question. It doesn't tell us he's out, but it doesn't tell us that he's in. He's going to make a decision. Mickey even said in his presser after the season that the new coach would decide on our quarterback situation. It is just simply not a lock that Derek will be here in 2025.

LOL Because he already answered the question when he said . I'm really excited to team up with him." SMH

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

I honestly don't see why Carr would take a pay cut or agree to waive his no trade clause. The original terms of his contract were fair for him. It was the way that the Saints manage the cap and that we were always going to be forced to kick his base salary in the 2nd year to a bonus that got us in trouble. It was a gamble for us (Dennis Allen) that we lost, but it was a very easy way to get guaranteed cash for him. Right now he's banking on the team being so tight on cash that they'll be forced to guarantee his $30m base rather than do a hard reset of the cap. He may be right about that, but I hope Loomis and Moore take the hit instead of giving in to restructuring him. That is literally the only leverage the team has at this point.

He agreed to waive it for Oakland.

I think approaching him on the paycut is option A. I agree there’s no incentive for him to do it but maybe Moore can coax him into wanting to be part of the offense.

Option B is the trade route, it’s still better than an outright cut only in that both outcomes you pay him to be on another team but w/ trade you can at least get an asset to help the team.

Finally option C is to outright cut him. You get some cash after June 1 but that does nothing to help you pre-draft/pre FA.

 

[Elvis]

He agreed to wave it for Oakland. I think approaching him on the paycut is option A. I agree there’s no incentive for him to do it but maybe Moore can coax him into wanting to be part of the offense. Option B is the trade route, it’s still better than an outright cut only in that both outcomes you pay him to be on another team but w/ trade you can atleast get an asset to help the team. Finally option C is to downright cut him

He actually didn't. He, or rather his agent, knew that it would be more lucrative for him to force the Raiders to cut him and not keep his old contract with less guarantees than a new one would get him.

The Raiders made the right decision. Hopefully the Saints will too.

Derek Carr informs Raiders he won't accept trade to Saints; Las Vegas expected to release QB

 

[DSnfla]

Why would Mickey say that the new head coach would make the decision at quarterback, if this wasn't a thing? Those are words he actually said, since we're taking words at face value.

You keep equating the statement that KM would make the decision @ QB with your projection that KM does not want Carr because YOU don't want Carr

 

[DSnfla]

No, he's being honest.

It would be irresponsible and dishonest to say he knows what they're going to do. Because it would be irresponsible to have made that decision already when he's barely off the plane. Guys are asking questions that he's obviously not going to know the answer to, and if he DID know the answer, it would be very premature.

I would bet $$$ that they have more than once had the discussion on what they want to do with DC. I'm sure there are more than 1 scenario they have discussed. I think he answered the question for now. It just probably is not the answer that some of you want

 

[schuetter]

He agreed to waive it for Oakland.

I think approaching him on the paycut is option A. I agree there’s no incentive for him to do it but maybe Moore can coax him into wanting to be part of the offense.

Option B is the trade route, it’s still better than an outright cut only in that both outcomes you pay him to be on another team but w/ trade you can at least get an asset to help the team.

Finally option C is to outright cut him. You get some cash after June 1 but that does nothing to help you pre-draft/pre FA.

These are all good points. The probable reality is that they'd like to upgrade the position (of course), but don't have any final decision regarding Carr until they fully evaluate all available options. I don't see Moore or anyone else in the FO committing one way or another until those evaluations have taken place and they've considered the draft, free agency, trades, etc.

Moore handled the questions the right way -- complimentary, but noncommittal.

 

[dvdman]

It's seems like every offseason it's always the same salary cap "doom and gloom" posts. Yet we always seem to field a good team.
The Saints problems have not been lack of talent because of salary cap issues, it's been staying healthy. I believe that will be Moore's
biggest challenge.

 

[St. Widge]

I don't recall this from the press conference but did he actually say this? If he did, that's some nice swag: