Derek Carr’s health casts doubt as New Orleans Saints weigh quarterback options for thrilling Week 1 showdown

A season full of promise and uncertainty awaits, as the New Orleans Saints face critical decisions regarding their quarterback strategy ahead of a high-stakes opening week.

Emerging Questions on the Field
As anticipation for the fall season builds, uncertainty shadows the Saints’ offensive plans. At the heart of this uncertainty is the health of their leading signal-caller, whose ability to take the field remains in doubt. While plans are firmly in place for him to start—provided he regains full fitness—the lingering health issues have prompted a careful review of alternative options.

Balancing Talent and Uncertainty
In scenarios where the veteran’s health falters, the reins would naturally pass to a younger arm with promising potential. The team has signaled that the understudy, who has been gradually earning more opportunities in practice and game situations, is being groomed to assume the responsibilities should circumstances necessitate. This duality presents an intriguing narrative: a seasoned quarterback known for his leadership juxtaposed with an emerging talent eager to seize the moment. One observation within the organization emphasizes, “If the primary quarterback isn’t available, we’re confident in the depth and preparedness of our backup to carry the load.”

Navigating the Season’s Inaugural Week
This strategic pivot holds particular weight as the itinerary features a thrilling Week 1 showdown—an opener where every play and decision reverberates across the league. The coaching staff is meticulously weighing these options, understanding that the performance of the quarterback position will set the tone for what is expected to be a challenging and dynamic season. The careful balance between experience and fresh energy reflects the club’s commitment to both preserving its competitive edge and nurturing the next generation of talent.

Looking Ahead with Strategic Insight
Ultimately, the unfolding situation serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of professional sports, where every season is not just a test of skill but also of resilience and adaptability. With health concerns at the peak of discussions and emerging talents on standby, the unfolding quarterback saga is poised to offer a richer narrative than by the numbers alone. As the Saints prepare for action, this nuanced approach emphasizes that success often comes from a blend of seasoned leadership and the readiness to innovate on the fly.

In reflecting on this pivotal juncture, one is reminded that the true strength of a team lies in its ability to adapt under pressure. Whether the veteran leads the charge or the burgeoning talent steps into the spotlight, the journey ahead promises moments of both challenge and triumph—a blend that mirrors the very spirit of competitive football.

Rookie Saints QB Tyler Shough already hard at work with his new teammates
Foster Moreau, wearing a knee brace, also spotted at the workout

Spencer Rattler isn’t the only New Orleans Saints quarterback putting in work this offseason. Rookie draft pick Tyler Shough was spotted at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium on Saturday getting to know some of his new teammates. Second-year wide receiver Bub Means was there catching passes from Rattler, and so were veteran tight ends Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau (who was wearing a knee brace after his Week 18 injury). Former Tulane Green Wave wide receiver Dontae Fleming, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted rookie, was also in attendance.

Each of these guys could play big roles in 2025. Johnson (who once played with Shough in college at Oregon) just signed a lucrative three-year contract extension, and figures to see an uptick in targets. Kellen Moore’s offense is known for funneling a lot of passes to the tight ends and his late-night sales pitch convinced Johnson to stay in New Orleans as a free agent. Means is both the tallest and heaviest receiver on the roster so he may be expected to fight for contested catches and move the chains. Moreau has been an effective blocker and pass-catcher for the Saints, and he’s one of the few guys offensively who plays with real attitude. They need tone-setters like him. Moore’s reluctance to roster a fullback may open up new doors for Moreau, too.

All that aside, it’s really encouraging to see Shough asserting himself and getting to work so soon. Like other first-year pros, he won’t report to the Saints practice facility for rookie minicamp until next weekend, but he isn’t wasting any time. Developing this chemistry with his receivers and learning what routes they like and where he can place the ball is critical. This is how that bond starts to materialize.

Sure, we shouldn’t make too much of it. It’s one throwing session with guys in sweatpants. But we’ll take the positivity where we can find it these days. That Shough is taking the initiative to huddle up with his new teammates and sling the ball around on a Saturday morning, rather than sit on the couch at home? That’s good. It lines up with what his Louisville teammate Quincy Riley said about Shough after the Saints drafted both of them. You can’t really measure leadership as a tangible quality, but actions like this are proof it does exist.

Saints’ Tyler Shough compared to Legend Drew Brees as both Have Odd Fact In Common

The New Orleans Saints have a shiny, new quarterback in the form of former Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough.

He was taken with the No. 40 overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. This was the highest the Saints have taken a quarterback since Archie Manning in 1971. The pick has gotten a lot of love, and even a stamp of approval from Manning himself.

Shough has done everything right so far since his selection. He’s shared multiple messages to Saints fans and also has an odd thing in common with Saints legend Drew Brees.

The Times-Picayune and NOLA.com’s Rashad Milligan shared that Shough and Brees actually both had their first meal after joining the Saints at the same restaurant in New Orleans: Drago’s Seafood.

“Shough ate at Drago’s Seafood with owner Tommy Cvitanovich, as reported by WDSU’s Fletcher Mackel,” Milligan shared. “‘He’s smart and polite,’ Mackel was told, ‘but we were most impressed by how respectful and humble he is.’ Cvitanovich then sang Shough’s praises. ‘I can tell you first hand, already, he gets it, when you talk about New Orleans and hospitality and friendship and love,” Cvitanovich said. “He’s got it. He loves this city, he’s ready to make a splash in not only football, but jump all into the culture. He wants to be a New Orleanian.’

“Brees’ first dinner in New Orleans was also at Drago’s in 2006. ‘Now, (Shough’s) first dinner is in our restaurant,” Cvitanovich said. “And if you’re asking me if I’m superstitious? D— sure, I’m a Saints fan, and I hope I’m superstitious and it works.””

This kid is doing everything right so far.

Saints new arrival Tyler Shough sends warning message to Spencer Rattler’s QB1 hopes

For New Orleans Saints fans who wanted to bury their heads under a rock when the team selected seventh-year senior quarterback Tyler Shough out of Louisville, there is a ray of hope.

In theory, Shough did not get selected that high for no reason. And, the Saints weren’t the only ones projecting Shough to be a Day 2 pick. So, was it really that much of a surprise?

Besides, New Orleans was already in a bind at quarterback in light of the Derek Carr injury situation. It was either Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener, if not Carr, and neither one of those necessarily inspired much confidence.

By that same sentiment, it already appears as though Shough has the inside track on the starting job.

An NFL executive just put Spencer Rattler’s future with the Saints in doubt

For fans wanting to give Rattler a chance at the starting gig after limited opportunity as a rookie, don’t hold your breath.

According to a report viaThe Athletic, one NFL executive would be shocked if Shough didn’t take over the starting job in the midst of Carr’s injury.

As if a second-round billing, for Shough, wasn’t already enough to throw Rattler’s future in doubt, that opinion is pretty damning.

Rattler was once a first-round type of prospect before he fell hard, and it wasn’t even completely due to character questions. As he showed during a short period of time as a rookie, Rattler has plenty to improve upon.

In Shough, the Saints are in fact getting a fairly pro-ready quarterback. Injury concerns are real after he saw three-straight collegiate seasons come to an early end. But, his lone year with Louisville put a healthy campaign on display and showed NFL scouts everything they needed to see.

Clearly, the Saints weren’t going to miss this opportunity, especially with the roster in such a financial bind. This team needs an answer at quarterback, and Mickey Loomis took his shot.

Should Shough not end up working out, you can bet fans will look back on this second-round pick as a huge swing and miss. But, at least Loomis opted to take a big swing rather than banking on Rattler or Haener.

Will Shough end up the Saints’ starter for Week 1? Only time will tell, but right now, it’s looking promising.

Former Saints Pro Bowler Thomas Morstead supports Tyler Shough wearing his jersey number

This is cool to see. Noted good guy and longtime New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead responded to news of rookie quarterback Tyler Shough planning to pick up his old jersey by urging him to do so. Morstead has continued punting around the NFL since the Saints cut him back in 2021, and the No. 6 jersey he wore proudly for so many years has changed hands several times — going from safety Marcus Maye to linebacker Willie Gay Jr., and now, maybe, Shough.

“I hope it is as good to you as it was to me,” Morstead wrote on social media. A fifth-round draft pick by the Saints back in 2009, Morstead won the Super Bowl his rookie year with New Orleans and later earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2012. He spent the first 12 years of his career in black and gold, wearing that No. 6 in 190 regular season games and 14 playoff games. That kind of longevity is rare, and it would be a massive success if Shough can match it.

When will Morstead return to New Orleans? He’s going to be competing for his job at New York Jets training camp this summer with Austin McNamara, a second-year punter, and if he wins that battle he’ll visit the Caesars Superdome when the Jets come to town in the fall. So maybe one former No. 6 can catch up with the newest guy to wear that number for the Saints.