With Derek Carr’s retirement announcement, the New Orleans Saints are at a crossroads in their quest for a new quarterback. The Saints have a significant decision to make—either promote rookie Tyler Shough to fill Carr’s shoes or dive into the market to sign a seasoned veteran like Aaron Rodgers.
Carr, who suffered a shoulder injury after 10 games last season, struggled to fully recover despite injections and rehabilitation efforts. AWith Derek Carr’s retirement announcement, the New Orleans Saints are at a crossroads in their quest for a new quarterback. The Saints have a significant decision to make—either promote rookie Tyler Shough to fill Carr’s shoes or dive into the market to sign a seasoned veteran like Aaron Rodgers.t 34, his retirement was anticipated, especially given that there were no clear signs of him being fit for the 2025 season. With Carr officially stepping away from the game, the Saints have turned to rookie Tyler Shough as the potential heir apparent.
Shough, the former Louisville Cardinals quarterback, was drafted in the second round by the Saints. His stellar college career, where he led Louisville to a 9-4 record, set him apart as a promising prospect. Over 13 games in the 2024 season, Shough completed 63% of his passes for 3,195 yards, throwing 23 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions. His impressive play also included 245 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.
Despite some skepticism from fans, Deion Branch, a two-time Super Bowl champion, has offered his strong endorsement of Shough. “Tyler’s all that. I promise you. I want to be the person to quiet down all the grumblings that I have, probably, slightly heard. About ‘Oh, we didn’t take the right quarterback.’ No, you took the right quarterback, trust me, I promise you,” Branch assured Saints supporters just hours before Carr’s retirement was confirmed.
The Saints also made moves in rookie minicamp, with players like Kelvin Banks, Danny Stutsman, and Quincy Riley signing contracts. Shough, along with Vernon Broughton and Jonas Sanker, were among the top draft picks still pending signings.
While Shough may be the front-runner for the starting role, the Saints are also eyeing other options, including the possibility of signing Aaron Rodgers. After being released by the New York Jets, the four-time NFL MVP is now a free agent, and New Orleans is reportedly a potential landing spot. The Saints, bolstered by their strong roster, could be an attractive destination for Rodgers, especially with Carr’s departure and the potential for a fresh start. However, Rodgers has yet to make a final decision on where he’ll play in 2025, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have also been linked to the veteran quarterback.
As the Saints navigate their quarterback dilemma, they face the tough decision of whether to place their trust in the rookie Shough or make a run at Rodgers, who could provide immediate veteran leadership and experience to the team. Whatever route they choose, the next chapter in the Saints’ quarterback saga promises to be a pivotal one.
Sources By Agencies
