More change is coming to New Orleans.
As the Saints begin the first off-season activities under new coach Kellen Moore, the team's top quarterback for the last two seasons, Derek Carr, is retiring from the NFL. A right shoulder injury played a major role in the decision for the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback.
In a statement on the team's website, the Saints explained that Carr experienced pain in his right shoulder in late March. Medical scans showed he'd had a labral tear and degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.
Surgery was an option but he'd have potentially missed the entire 2025 season.
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with (my wife) Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” Carr said. “For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience."
Carr spent the last two seasons of his 11-year career in New Orleans. His retirement leaves questions over who will start at quarterback for the Saints in 2025.
Here's a look at the options currently on the roster:
Saints QB depth chart
New Orleans has three other quarterbacks on the roster with Carr retiring.
- Tyler Shough
- Spencer Rattler
- Jake Haener
All three are on their rookie contracts.
Shough was the Saints' second round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft at No. 40 overall out of Louisville. He is the only quarterback in the group to be drafted under new head coach Kellen Moore.
New Orleans drafted Rattler in the fifth round, No. 150 overall out of South Carolina in the 2024 NFL Draft. Rattler started six games last season and went 0-6. He completed 130 of 228 passes (57%) for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions. He also had 18 carries for 146 rushing yards.
Haener was the Saints' fourth-round pick (No. 127 overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft. He had one start for the Saints last season filling in for Carr and he completed 4 of 10 passes for 49 yards and an interception in a 20-19 loss to Washington. Rattler took over for him during the game.
Given his draft pedigree, Shough seems like the favorite ahead of training camp to take the starting job. If he needs more time to get up to speed in the NFL, New Orleans may opt to start Rattler to begin the season and work Shough in after a few games.
Kellen Moore on Saints QB competition
Following the news of Carr's retirement, the new Saints head coach explained how things stand entering training camp.
"We’re going to let all three of these guys roll," he told media members on May 10.
Shough , Rattler and Have nerd will all be rotated equally during training camp to determine the starter for Week 1 of the season.
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