New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore needs a new quarterback. With Derek Carr retiring, the Saints’ quarterback competition is underway. Who will start in Week 1? The oddsmakers favor rookie Tyler Shough to get the first shot for the Saints.
Derek Carr Retirement Creates Quarterback Competition
#Saints QB Derek Carr, dealing with a shoulder injury that requires surgery that would knock him out for the 2025 season, is retiring, per The Insiders.
While Carr tried an injection and rehab, it wouldn’t allow him to be 100% until another procedure. Both sides move on. pic.twitter.com/sHbCq9nqVw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 10, 2025
Heading into the offseason, the health of Carr was one of the Saints’ biggest storylines.
In April, Carr confirmed his shoulder injury and how it could lead to him missing time during the 2025 season.
In actuality, the shoulder injury was a lot worse. Carr’s injury required surgery that would cause him to miss the 2025 season.
Instead of opting for surgery and rehab, Carr retired earlier this month.
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” said Carr in a statement via Saints.com. “For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience. 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.”
Carr had two years remaining on his four-year, $150 million contract he signed in March 2023.
Carr was favored to start for the Saints in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. Now, Moore will turn elsewhere at quarterback.
Who Will Be The Saints Starting Quarterback In Week 1?
| Saints Starting Quarterback In Week 1 | Odds |
|---|---|
| Tyler Shough | -300 |
| Spencer Rattler | +190 |
| Jake Haener | +1600 |
Odds via BetOnline on 5/23/25 at 3:30 p.m. ET
The rookie is favored to start in New Orleans. The Saints drafted Shough (-300) in the second round out of Louisville.
Shough is no ordinary rookie, as the 25-year-old spent seven seasons at the college level. His best season came in 2024 with Louisville, as he threw for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Spencer Rattler (+190) will likely be his backup. Drafted in the fifth round of 2024, Rattler split time with Jake Haener (+1600) last season.
Rattler went 0-6 as the starter and threw for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Haener’s shot will have to wait, as the quarterback suffered an oblique strain that will keep him out for the rest of OTAs.
