The Saints aren’t calling it a rebuild. Not officially. But look past the careful phrasing and you’ll see the scaffolding of a franchise in transition. Derek Carr’s quiet retirement left behind a leadership vacuum and a quarterback depth chart without a clear frontman. Into that uncertainty stepped Kellen Moore, the 36-year-old head coach tasked with stitching together a new offensive identity while sorting through a room of unproven passers. There’s no long-term starter in place. No defined culture yet, either. But there are early signs of direction. And they all seem to be orbiting around Tyler Shough.
For now, Moore is playing it close to the vest. At last weekend’s media availability, he rattled off three names—Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough—as if reading from a depth chart drawn in pencil. “We’re going to let all three of these guys roll,” he said. “We’ll play patience, let these guys compete.” But behind that measured tone is the unmistakable weight of Shough’s draft status. When the NFL Draft rolled around last month and Carr’s future was uncertain, the team used the 40th overall pick to take Louisville QB Tyler Shough.
On May 12, the New Orleans Saints dropped a video on X featuring rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. Titled “5 Things to Know with @tylershough2 ,” the clip gave fans a fun, behind-the-scenes look at the team’s second-round pick. One thing stood out –“Number three, I can throw the football left-handed pretty good, so I might try that in a game. Just kidding, gonna try and practise probably first,” Shough joked. It was lighthearted, but the message was clear—he’s confident. Kellen Moore might have just bet on the right horse.
The ability to throw with both hands, even as a joke or offhand comment, signals a level of versatility that catches attention. In a sport where adaptability is highly valued, this ability suggests Shough could become an unpredictable weapon. Plus, if Shough were ever to actually use his left hand during a game, it would open up new possibilities for play-calling. Coaches would have the ability to design trick plays or keep defenders guessing, as the element of surprise could come into play
5 Things to know with @tylershough2 pic.twitter.com/NZvOCRNBOU
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 12, 2025
Across his years at Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville, he absorbed a variety of offensive schemes, worked under different coaching staffs, and played with an ever-changing cast of teammates. This variety, while sometimes disruptive, has given Shough an understanding of football’s larger picture, an advantage as he attempts to settle into New Orleans’ system. In 2024, after Shough transferred to Louisville, he threw for 3,195 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, which were both career highs for him, and just six interceptions. So the numbers are not something to turn a blind eye towards.
One of the more intriguing aspects of Shough’s college tenure was his time at Louisville under head coach Jeff Brohm. Brohm’s offense is more NFL-like than most college systems, providing Shough with experience in a more pro-style environment. He took snaps under center and operated a system that favored traditional dropbacks over screen-heavy schemes.
There’s also history in the making. Shough is the highest-drafted quarterback by the Saints since Archie Manning. That’s not a coincidental draft; that’s a war strategy. Maybe the Saints require a headline-worthy QB1 after Derek Carr’s retirement.
Saints QB shuffle after Derek Carr leaves
Carr’s 11-season-long career is officially in the rearview mirror. The news hit Saturday morning, signaling the end of an era—and the start of a new one. Tyler Shough, the rookie QB now thrust into the spotlight, didn’t flinch. “I think that’s all you can ask for is an opportunity at any position,” Shough said. “And I’m going to treat it the same way, as if, whoever was on the roster, I’ve got to continue to grow and get better and do my best to elevate the quarterback room.”
Carr’s career featured a string of impressive stats, and his final season was no exception. In 2024, he started all 17 games for the Saints. He completed nearly 70% of his passes—68.4% to be exact—showing just how accurate and consistent he remained. Carr threw for 3,878 yards, he also recorded 25 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions, keeping mistakes to a minimum. Altogether, he finished with a passer rating of 97.7, a mark that reflects efficient, smart quarterback play.
But behind the numbers, trouble was brewing. Medical scans later revealed a labral tear and significant rotator cuff damage. At 34, with prior injuries including an AC joint sprain from 2023, Carr knew the road to 2025 wasn’t realistic. These serious injuries ultimately made Carr leave behind his jersey and pass on the torch.
The Saints had already anticipated the possibility of moving on from Derek Carr, but now that it’s official, the path forward is much clearer. Carr’s retirement was confirmed during the rookie minicamp, right as the team was beginning to evaluate Tyler Shough in a more extended setting.
Had this decision stretched into training camp, it might have created unnecessary tension or distractions. However, with the news coming early, the coaching staff can now reset and focus on the quarterbacks without the uncertainty of Carr’s status. As OTAs loom, Shough, Rattler, and Haener are set to share reps, and if the Saints opt to make Shough the starting quarterback, they’ll be able to do so without Carr’s shadow overhanging their choice.
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