The New Orleans Saints‘ quarterbacks have a lot of work to do this summer in proving their doubters wrong. With Derek Carr headed for retirement, the QB room is manned by second-year pro Spencer Rattler, rookies Tyler Shough (the presumptive starter) and Hunter Dekkers, plus third-year backup Jake Haener — who is recovering from an oblique muscle injury and won’t be able to throw until training camp.
One of the most surprising developments of the 2025 NFL Draft was Tyler Shough being the third quarterback off the board. The 26-year-old rookie spent seven years in college and now enters a wide-open competition in New Orleans following Derek Carr’s retirement. Between Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, the Saints’ quarterback room is arguably the weakest in the league. Regardless of who starts, expectations are low, though fans can at least hope Shough delivers a few highlight-reel moments like this gem from his 2024 season.
If you’re curious how the NFC South shakes out, PFF has both the Carolina Panthers (at No. 20) and the Atlanta Falcons (No. 23) in Tier 4, described as «young players with a wide range of potential outcomes.» Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is slotted a tier higher at No. 13, among other passers defined as «solid starters, but they need more help.» Either Bryce Young or Michael Penix Jr. could take a take step back, but they could also thrive and ascend, too. For now the Saints and Shough are alone at the bottom.
