Saints QB Derek Carr has announced he'll retire. We already knew there was a chance he'd miss some or all of the coming season because of an injury to his right shoulder. But this news obviously heightens the importance of rookie QB Tyler Shough's quick development and/or another plan for a "bridge" starter.
From the team's official release: "In late March, while ramping up his preparation for the 2025 season, Derek experienced pain in his right shoulder. It was his first time throwing a football at significant volume since recovering from both a concussion and left hand injury sustained during play on December 8, 2024. ... Eventually, medical scans determined objectively that Derek sustained a labral tear and also had significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff. ... Surgery was an option, jeopardizing the entire 2025 season, yet there was no guarantee Derek would return to the level of strength, function and performance of play to which he was accustomed."
I'm sure the Saints would love for Shough -- the second-round pick last month -- to be ready to start Week 1. We'll have to watch through the summer to see whether that will be the case, though.
Although he'll turn 26 in September of his rookie season, Shough managed just one full season as a college starter thanks to multiple injuries. That's pretty light on-field experience vs. how long he's been around.
Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener are on hand as competition/depth, and Rattler logged six starts as a rookie. But if the team believed in the starting potential of either player, it could have easily passed on Shough.
Clearing Carr's salary should mean room to add a veteran QB, if the team chooses. Aaron Rodgers is obviously the biggest name on the open market but has been closely tied with the Steelers.
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins could be available via trade. Giants QB Jameis Winston has history with the franchise and now sits as merely the third option for his new team, which signed him before drafting Jaxson Dart. That could be a cheaper trade option.
Shough certainly seems the most likely heir, but we'll see how this plays out.
Saints pass catchers have been clear losers in the wake of the Carr injury news. But the impact on their numbers will probably be muted. He'd be more reliable -- especially from a completion rate standpoint -- but has never been a special downfield passer.
Frankly, we'll all be analyzing and judging this offense as summer and even the season progress.
Throw in that HC Kellen Moore heads into his first season with the Saints and running any team, and there's a lot of unknown at play.
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