The Saints quarterback situation has changed fast since the Drew Brees era ended. After Brees retired in 2021, New Orleans tried to find a steady leader under center.
The Saints cycled through Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, and Andy Dalton, but none became the long-term answer. The team then signed veteran Derek Carr in 2023, hoping his experience would bring stability.
Carr started for two seasons but struggled with injuries and inconsistency. He finished with a 14-13 record and threw for 6,023 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
Last season, the Saints posted their worst record since 2005, going 5-12. Carr’s lingering shoulder injury forced him to retire after just two years in New Orleans.
With Carr gone, the Saints faced a quarterback void. They had already started drafting young quarterbacks, picking Jake Haener in 2023 and Spencer Rattler in 2024. But neither claimed the starting job.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, New Orleans used its second-round pick on Tyler Shough, a 26-year-old rookie with a long college career at Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville. Shough’s maturity and experience made him stand out, even though he had a history of injuries.
Now, the Saints quarterback room is the youngest it has been in years. It features Shough, Rattler, Haener, and undrafted rookie Hunter Dekkers.
Head coach Kellen Moore says the team is excited to let these young players compete and grow.
Moore has made it clear he is not looking to add a veteran quarterback right now, believing the current group has potential.
The Saints quarterback situation is still unsettled. Shough is the favorite to start Week 1, but Rattler and Haener are also in the mix.
After years of searching for Brees’ successor, the Saints are betting on youth and competition to finally solve their quarterback puzzle.