Well, the New Orleans Saints’ quarterback picture just went from cloudy to chaotic. After a rollercoaster offseason and Derek Carr’s lingering pre-draft shoulder injury, the team found itself in uncharted waters. In February, the new head coach refrained from making a firm commitment to quarterback Derek Carr during his introductory press conference.  Moore acknowledged Carr’s status as a “tremendous quarterback” and a “premier player in this league,” but stopped short of confirming Carr as the team’s starting quarterback for the upcoming season. Hence, the Saints were expected to be a top landing spot for a QB in the draft. But they waited and even passed on Shedeur Sanders before picking Tyler Shough at No. 40.

The 26-year-old journeyman quarterback was a name not many saw coming as the Saints’ choice for a QB. Shough’s story isn’t typical. He played for three college programs over seven years—from Oregon to Texas Tech to a brief stint at Louisville. However, Moore seems impressed by what the veteran rookie brings to the table. “You can see it in the classroom aspect of this thing. His ability to process football at a very easy rate in the classroom. It’s really, really good when you throw him up there and you’re watching film and you’re talking about plays and concepts,” Moore said. That’s exactly the kind of mind you want holding a clipboard—or maybe even calling plays—if Derek Carr’s health doesn’t hold up.

Right now, Derek Carr is sitting out offseason workouts. And it’s not just a routine break—his long-standing shoulder issues are still lurking. The AC joint strain he suffered in 2023 against the Packers continues to raise questions. His brother, David Carr, even confirmed that it’s related to that very injury. All this has cast doubt over whether Carr will be fully ready when the season kicks off. When Shough was drafted at number 40, it might not have been with the thought that he would be starting in Week 1, given that the Saints still have Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler,  fourth and fifth-round draft selections from the past two years, in their ranks. But Slough’s fortunes might be taking a turn.

Over on NFL on NBC, on Thursday, analyst Matthew Berry let it slip. “When you look at that quarterback room in New Orleans, Tyler Shough has a real chance to see meaningful act this year and is possibly their Day 1 starter, he said. His co-host Connor Rogers doubled down on this take, adding, “I mean, there’s a really good chance. With Derek Carr, we just can’t figure out what’s in. Think of all the injuries Derek Carr had last year. If he comes into the season healthy, Tyler Shough—it’s going to be his time eventually, like sooner rather than later.”

Shough’s college career spanned seven seasons, aided by medical redshirts and an additional year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During his single season at Louisville, he stood out, throwing for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions with a completion rate of 62.7%. His impressive arm strength and mobility led to a rise in his draft stock.

Rogers also pointed out how things are aligning for Shough. “We’ll see what the status is with all the health questions around their wide receivers, but the offensive line’s going to be a lot better with Kelvin Banks after taking Taliese Fuaga in the first round the previous year. So there are worse situations that a rookie quarterback can walk into,” Rogers added.

The Saints have scooped Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. at No. 9 to bolster their offensive options. Banks fires off the snap with impressive quickness, allowing him to reach the second level in a hurry. His skill in tracking defenders and locking them into blocks creates opportunities in the run game, while his relentless motor keeps him engaged, seamlessly moving from one defender to the next.

After selecting Taliese Fuaga in the first round of the 2024 draft, the Saints doubled down on offensive line talent in 2025 to solidify their trenches. If Banks earns a starting role, New Orleans’ offensive line will feature four first-round picks and one second-rounder—a powerhouse unit built for dominance. But don’t forget—Shough’s path hasn’t been all clean.

He’s had a series of injuries himself: two broken collarbones during his Texas Tech years and a broken fibula in 2023. Still, he’s walking into the NFL with a gritty, glass-half-full attitude.

“A lot of this stuff is … out of your control. You can’t control getting hip-dropped. Breaking your collarbone, it’s probably one of the most common injuries,” Shough said. “And for me, it helped me out mentally more than anything and finding a way to add value to my teammates and the coaches.”

While some see his age as a red flag, Saints GM Mickey Loomis sees it differently. “I think it’s a benefit when a guy’s had a lot of experience and has a little maturity to him at that position,” Loomis said. “You get a player that’s a little older, so in some cases that might be a detriment, but I don’t think it is at quarterback.” Still, with Carr’s status up in the air, that stance could be tested sooner than expected.

Derek Carr speaks up—loud and clear

After weeks of speculation, Derek Carr finally addressed the situation. The Saints converting most of his salary into a $40 million signing bonus gave the impression that he was still the guy in New Orleans. And Kellen Moore backed that up.

“I think we’ve been consistent through this whole process. We feel really good about Derek, and we’re excited to team up with him and the things that he can do for us. We want him here, and it’ll be a good situation,” Moore said. But it wasn’t just about football. Carr revealed the real reason behind his absence: his wife suffered a miscarriage around the time of his planned offseason meeting with the Saints. That devastating personal loss, coupled with a shoulder injury, kept him away, not a lack of commitment.

“Yes, I hate I have to say this; yes, I have a shoulder injury,” Carr admitted. “Despite what ESPN says and what some lady on a podcast might think… I have the MRI report to prove it. The team knows about it. We’ve been in constant communication.”

For Kellen Moore, this is already turning into a delicate dance. He’s backing Derek Carr publicly while quietly preparing Tyler Shough to step in if needed. It’s a classic NFL balancing act—ride with your veteran until the wheels fall off, but make sure the rookie’s ready when they do.

As Carr recuperates and refocuses, Shough is learning the system, taking reps, and slowly gaining the locker room’s respect. The longer Carr’s recovery drags on, the louder the whispers will get. Will Moore stick with the proven vet? Or will he take a risk and bet on the experienced rookie who’s already defied the odds?