New Orleans Saints’ Quarterback Battle Intensifies as Rookie Tyler Shough Seizes Opportunity After Derek Carr’s Shocking Retirement…
The New Orleans Saints’ quarterback position has become a focal point of the 2025 NFL offseason following the unexpected retirement of veteran Derek Carr. Carr, 34, announced his departure from the league due to a persistent shoulder injury that would require surgery and potentially sideline him for the entire season. This sudden change has opened the door for rookie Tyler Shough to step into the spotlight and compete for the starting role.,
Derek Carr’s Sudden Exit
Derek Carr’s retirement came as a surprise to many. After spending nine seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, Carr joined the Saints in 2023, bringing veteran leadership to a team in transition. However, injuries plagued his tenure in New Orleans, culminating in the decision to retire. Carr’s exit has not only left a void at the quarterback position but also freed up significant cap space, potentially allowing the Saints to pursue other veteran options, including a possible move for Aaron Rodgers .
Enter Tyler Shough
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Saints selected quarterback Tyler Shough from Louisville in the second round with the 40th overall pick. Standing 6’5″ and weighing 219 pounds, Shough brings a blend of size and athleticism to the position. His college career spanned Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville, where he showcased his ability to lead offenses and make plays both in the air and on the ground .
Shough’s selection was seen as a potential long-term investment for the Saints, but with Carr’s sudden retirement, the rookie now finds himself thrust into a competitive quarterback battle. Despite the pressure, Shough remains focused on the opportunity ahead. “That’s all you can ask for is an opportunity,” he remarked, emphasizing his readiness to compete and contribute to the team’s success.
The Competition
Shough’s primary competition comes from fellow quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. Rattler, drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has already seen some action in the NFL. In his rookie season, he set a franchise record for most passing yards by a rookie quarterback, despite the team’s overall struggles . Haener, drafted in the fourth round in 2023, has had limited opportunities but is eager to prove himself as a capable starter.The addition of undrafted rookie Hunter Dekkers further complicates the competition. Dekkers, who was involved in a college gambling scandal that led to a loss of NCAA eligibility, has shown promise during offseason mtuation .
The Road Aini-camps. His inclusion in the quarterback mix adds another layer of intrigue to the Saints’ quarterback sihead
New Orleans Saints’ Quarterback Battle Intensifies as Rookie Tyler Shough Seizes Opportunity After Derek Carr’s Shocking Retirement
The New Orleans Saints’ quarterback position has become a focal point of the 2025 NFL offseason following the unexpected retirement of veteran Derek Carr. Carr, 34, announced his departure from the league due to a persistent shoulder injury that would require surgery and potentially sideline him for the entire season. This sudden change has opened the door for rookie Tyler Shough to step into the spotlight and compete for the starting role.
Derek Carr’s Sudden Exit
Derek Carr’s retirement came as a surprise to many. After spending nine seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, Carr joined the Saints in 2023, bringing veteran leadership to a team in transition. However, injuries plagued his tenure in New Orleans, culminating in the decision to retire. Carr’s exit has not only left a void at the quarterback position but also freed up significant cap space, potentially allowing the Saints to pursue other veteran options, including a possible move for Aaron Rodgers .
Enter Tyler Shough
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Saints selected quarterback Tyler Shough from Louisville in the second round with the 40th overall pick. Standing 6’5″ and weighing 219 pounds, Shough brings a blend of size and athleticism to the position. His college career spanned Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville, where he showcased his ability to lead offenses and make plays both in the air and on the ground .()
Shough’s selection was seen as a potential long-term investment for , but with Carr’s sudden retirement, the rookie now finds himself thrust into a competitive quarterback battle. Despite the pressure, Shough remains focused on the opportunity ahead. “That’s all you can ask for is an opportunity,” he remarked, emphasizing his readiness to compete and contribute to the team’s success.(The Competition
Shough’s primary competition comes from fellow quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. Rattler, drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has already seen some action in the NFL. In his rookie season, he set a franchise record for most passing yards by a rookie quarterback, despite the team’s overall struggles . Haener, drafted in the fourth round in 2023, has had limited opportunities but is eager to prove himself as a capable starter.
The addition of undrafted rookie Hunter Dekkers further complicates the competition. Dekkers, who was involved in a college gambling scandal that led to a loss of NCAA eligibility, has shown promise during offseason mini-camps. His inclusion in the quarterback mix adds another layer of intrigue to the Saints’ quarterback situation .
The Road Ahead
As the Saints prepare for the upcoming season, the quarterback battle is set to be a central storyline. Shough’s performance during training camp and preseason games will be crucial in determining whether he can seize the starting role. The Saints’ coaching staff, led by interim head coach Darren Rizzi following the mid-season firing of Dennis Allen in 2024, will have to evaluate the quarterbacks closely to make the best decision for the team’s future .(, )
The sudden shift in the Saints’ quarterback landscape has injected a sense of urgency and excitement into the team’s offseason. For Tyler Shough, this is more than just a chance to start; it’s an opportunity to define his career and potentially lead the Saints into a new era of success. As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on the young quarterback to see if he can rise to the occasion and claim the starting job.(
ason games will be crucial in determining whether he can seize the starting role. The Saints’ coaching staff, led by interim head coach Darren Rizzi following the mid-season firing of Dennis Allen in 2024, will have to evaluate the quarterbacks closely to make the best decision for the team’s future .The sudden shift in the Saints’ quarterback landscape has injected a sense of urgency and excitement into the team’s offseason. For Tyler Shough, this is more than just a chance to start; it’s an opportunity to define his career and potentially lead the Saints into a new era of success. As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on the young quarterback to see if he can rise to the occasion and claim the starting job.