“Saints training camp just got a whole lot more interesting.” The X’s notification popped up fast: Derek Carr—fresh off an 11-year run that took him from the desert to the Big Easy—was hanging up his helmet. Less than a full offseason after signing in New Orleans, Carr’s unexpected exit has flipped the Saints’ quarterback room on its head. Rookie Tyler Shough is suddenly elbowing his way into the spotlight. Undrafted. Forgotten. Almost…

Now, before you hit the “What went wrong?” button, think back to Derek Carr’s journey: he threw for 3,878 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2024—respectable on paper—but the Saints still stumbled to a 7–10 record. He had moments where he looked every bit like the former Pro Bowler he once was with the Raiders. Still, clutch decisions and red zone execution slipped in key games, and the offense never quite clicked the way the front office had hoped. It wasn’t about whether Carr could still play—it was whether he could still win.

And then, out of left field, came Dianna Russini’s tweet: “Derek Carr chose to retire, ending an 11-year career and his Saints tenure after just two seasons.” But the attached Scoop City image said it all: “I think for both sides in this situation, him retiring was the best thing for them.” In other words, Carr didn’t just walk away—he was gently pushed.

Derek Carr’s goodbye press conference had more of a “let’s put this mess behind us” vibe than any celebratory send-off. The guy who once ran the Raiders’ offense like he was born to call plays just found out the brass was over it and ready to move on. Even recently, Moore praised Carr’s efforts, “He did everything he could… he’s communicated extremely well. 

Kellen Moore added, “He’s worked really hard to put himself in position, and ultimately this was the outcome.” Whether it was high-fiving fans at Pelicans games or rubbing elbows with celebs at charity galas, Derek Carr always brought the goodwill. But even all that community love couldn’t hide the front office’s real goal: hitting the reset button at quarterback. And with Carr’s exit sealed, head coach Kellen Moore didn’t waste a heartbeat.

Derek Carr’s exit: Will Shough shine—or sink—New Orleans’s season?

“When you get into pads and live bullets, you see who’s made for this job,” Moore told reporters after minicamp, laying out a three-man battle: veteran Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler, and the rookie, Tyler Shough. “We’ll let all three roll. They’ve earned these opportunities.” Moore’s nod to Shough—picked 40th overall in 2025—wasn’t mere lip service. After those seven-on-seven sessions, he said Shough was “excellent,” hinting that the 25-year-old’s arm talent and poise could vault him ahead of his more experienced counterparts.

Shough’s college tape from Texas Tech showed a quarterback who didn’t shy away from threading balls into tight windows or aggressive throws, and in New Orleans’ compact offense, that could be gold. With clean mechanics and a steady presence in the pocket, Shough might not have the experience, but he’s got the upside — and that might be enough to tilt the QB race in his favor if the others can’t level up.

Last year’s backups didn’t exactly inspire: Jake Haener, who backed up Carr in 2024, struggled to find rhythm across eight appearances. He completed just 46% of his passes, totaling 226 yards with one touchdown and one interception — not exactly the breakout performance the Saints were hoping for. Spencer Rattler, a fifth-round rookie, showed more promise across his six starts, logging 1,317 yards, four touchdowns, and five picks on 130 completions out of 228 attempts (a 57% completion rate). Shough, on the other hand, brings fresh legs and that rookie fire that can light up a locker room.

But don’t bank on him just yet—Moore reminded everyone that leadership matters just as much as a cannon for an arm. “The quarterback has no choice—it’s a leadership role,” Moore said. “You’ve got to take ownership and go for it.” If Shough stumbles in camp or fails to rally the backups, New Orleans might still bring in a veteran. Moore admitted they’d keep an “awareness” of that possibility, but the brass seems intrigued by a homegrown spark. Saints’ fans love a feel-good story, but they’ve grown impatient since Drew Brees left town. A rookie misfire under center could doom the season before it truly starts. 

Either Shough proves he’s more Dak Prescott than Paxton Lynch, or New Orleans finds itself scrambling for stability by midyear. For Carr, the silver lining is obvious: he walks away on his own terms, sort of. Can Shough seize this opportunity, shock the skeptics, and cement himself as New Orleans’s next franchise quarterback?