Carr Retires: What’s Next for the Saints?
Saints quarterback Derek Carr surprised everyone with his retirement from the NFL on Saturday. Following a shoulder injury that required surgery, Carr, 34, decided to leave football.
Despite Carr’s unexpected departure, the Saints appear to be prepared. They had already considered dispensing with him in 2026 for financial reasons and were evaluating options for the future at the quarterback position. Carr’s injury accelerated the search for a young passer.
During the NFL draft, the Saints selected Tyler Shough, quarterback from Louisville, with the 40th pick. This decision opens the way for Shough to compete for the starting position, although coach Kellen Moore has announced an open competition between Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener.
Shough, who played seven years in college and was a starter for four seasons at Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville, is 25 years old. This gives him a certain advantage in terms of professional preparation, something the Saints desperately need. However, due to Shough’s injuries, he only made 951 pass attempts in college, fewer than other prospects.
Shough’s experience in different systems and his work with various receivers and coaches are points in his favor. He is expected to adapt to the playbook and the locker room more easily than the average rookie.
Coach Jeff Brohm’s offensive style at Louisville could ease his transition to the starting role. Shough took some snaps under center and his use of screens was low, showcasing NFL concepts in his game.
Shough possesses an impressive arm, especially on vertical throws. His ability to throw deep passes is crucial for an NFL quarterback, especially with a receiver like Rashid Shaheed on the team. With his height and ability to throw on the move, Shough has all the tools.
However, determining what type of offense Moore will implement is a challenge. Moore has been an offensive coordinator for six seasons, adapting his strategy based on the available players.
With a talented running back like Alvin Kamara, the Saints are expected to utilize screens and passes frequently. In addition, the team has receivers like Chris Olave and a solid tight end line, suggesting a versatile offense.
The Saints’ offensive line, led by Taliese Fuaga and Kelvin Banks Jr., could favor a run and play-action passing strategy to protect the young tackles.
Shough is an effective pitcher in the short game and seems to have good rhythm, but he doesn’t have the greatest speed nor is he a particularly flexible pitcher. This could affect his accuracy under pressure.
Shough is good at avoiding sacks, but he tends to throw the ball prematurely to avoid contact. This could limit the offense’s potential if he can only make plays when he is protected.
In the event that Rattler shows better performance in training camp, he could compete for the starting position. He has a more impressive arm and better movement skills.
Expectations for a second-round rookie quarterback should be moderate, especially on a team like the Saints, which does not have an elite offensive staff. However, the uncertainty about Moore’s offensive strategy makes it even more difficult to predict Shough’s performance.
If the scheme is solid and the receivers perform, the Saints could be more functional than expected. But they could also be a disaster.
In summary, the Saints’ offense has a wide range of outcomes, depending on the decisions of the new coach and the new quarterback.
