The Saints will be holding a three-way quarterback competition to replace Derek Carr, head coach Kellen Moore has revealed.
Carr, the team’s starter for the last two seasons, suddenly announced his retirement on Saturday. According to the team, medical scans earlier this year showed he he had ‘significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.’
And with the four-time Pro Bowler no longer with the team, the Saints will be giving Tyler Shough, Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler each a chance to win the starting job.
‘We’re going to let all three of these guys roll,’ Moore told reporters. ‘They’ve all earned these opportunities.’
Moore, who believes ‘one of these guys will rise [to the starting job]’ by the beginning of the preseason, added that Shough was ‘excellent’ during the team’s recent rookie minicamp.
The former Oregon, Texas Tech and Louisville passer represents the highest draft investment in the Saints’ quarterback room, as the team used the No. 40 pick to land him last month.
Derek Carr announced his retirement from the NFL in sudden fashion over the weekend
Rookie Shough represents the highest draft investment in the Saints’ QB room
Haener was a fourth-rounder in 2023 while Rattler was a fifth-rounder last year.
Though Carr began last season as starter, both Haener and Rattler got chances to impress after New Orleans’ QB1 missed a total of seven games with oblique and hand injuries.
Rattler earned most of the reps in Carr’s absence, as he started six games, averaging 188.1 yards per contest and throwing four touchdowns against five interceptions.
Haener appeared in eight games but started just one, throwing for 226 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception.
Following his shock retirement, Carr released a statement on his decision.
‘Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with [his wife] Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,’ said Carr. ‘For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience.
Spencer Rattler (left) and Jake Haener (right) will also have the chance to win the starting quarterback job
‘It’s difficult to find the right words to express our thanks to all the teammates, coaches, management, ownership, team officials and especially the fans who made this journey so special. Your unwavering support has meant the world to us.’
Following Carr’s shoulder injury being diagnosed in March, surgery was an option, though it would’ve put his entire 2025 season in jeopardy and didn’t ensure a return to full strength.
So, after discussing with his wife, Heather, as well as team and outside medical personnel, Carr decided to end his NFL career after 11 seasons.
The No. 36 overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, Carr retires with 41,245 passing yards and 257 touchdowns against 112 interceptions.
He made just one trip to the playoffs, with the Raiders in 2021.
