THE SAINTS QB CONUNDRUM
On 5/10/25 Derek Carr announced that he was retiring from the NFL after suffering a shoulder injury. Carr decided that it was in the best interest of him, his family and the New Orleans Saints for him to retire. Over the course of a ten-year NFL career, Carr amassed 41,245 passing yards in total and is the Raiders all-time leading passer with 35,222 passing yards as the Raiders QB. As Carr rides off into the sunset, a door opens with great opportunity but who is best suited to take the reigns as the Saints QB?
Currently the Saints QB room consists of Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and Tyler Shough. First let’s take a look at Jake Haener, after being drafted in 2023 by the Saints in the 4th round, he has not seen much action. He has only played in 8 games, and during those games completed 18 of 39 passes for 226 yards. Not a lot to work with as far as resume, but he is the current veteran QB on the roster. Then in 2024 the Saints drafted Spencer Rattler in the 5th round, and because of Carr’s injury he got to see more playing time. Rattler played in 7 games during the 2024 season completing 130 of 228 attempts for 1,317 yards with 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Again, not a super resume heading into the 2025 season for the Saints. Finally, we have Tyler Shough who was selected in the 2nd round of the 2025 draft out of Louisville with the 40th pick in the draft. Shough played 12 games in 2024 for the Louisville Cardinals, throwing for 3,195 yard and 23 touchdowns.
With the roster of young players, I think the Saints need a veteran QB to lead the team. The best available options are Aaron Rodgers still unsigned, and Kirk Cousins available for trade with the Falcons. New Saints head coach Kellen Moore may also look to reunite with Kenny Pickett. Moore and Pickett worked together last season with the Eagles, and Pickett may be available after the Browns drafted 2 quarterbacks in the draft and signed Joe Flacco. Another option with some familiarity to the Saints is Jameis Winston. In March Winston signed with the Giants, then they signed Russell Wilson, and drafted Jaxson Dart with the 25th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Winston played 4 seasons in New Orleans and might actually be the best option.
ESPN Jake Haener stats, retrieved 5/11/25, www.espn/nfl/player/gamelog
ESPN Spencer Rattler stats, retrieved 5/11/25, www.espn/nfl/player/gamelog
Tyler Shough stats, retrieved 5/11/25, Louisville www.gocards.com/sports/football/roster/tyler-shough
