On Friday afternoon, NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport reported that New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is unsure for the 2025–26 season as a consequence of a shoulder harm.
The harm threatens his availability for the season, and Carr is weighing his choices — together with the potential of surgical procedure.
The Saints employed Kellen Moore as their new head coach after the previous Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator helped lead the staff to a Tremendous Bowl title. If we gave him fact serum, Moore would most likely like to maneuver on from Carr, 34, and discover his quarterback of the long run to construct round in New Orleans.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that Carr’s harm didn’t come as a shock to the Saints. Nonetheless, he carries a cap hit of $20.4 million in 2025. Right here’s how New Orleans may pivot:
1. Draft Shedeur Sanders
Dec 28, 2024; San Antonio, TX, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up earlier than the sport towards the Brigham Younger Cougars at Alamodome. Necessary Credit score: Troy Taormina-Imagn Photographs For some unknown cause, it appears like Shedeur Sanders’ draft inventory is slipping — particularly after he met with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who maintain the No. 21 total decide, earlier this week.
Quarterback is essentially the most coveted place in sports activities. Except you could have a younger, premium, blue-chip quarterback, your staff doubtless isn’t going wherever. Due to this, Sanders most likely received’t fall out of the highest 10, and the Saints ought to take him at No. 9 total, following the Denver Broncos’ blueprint of transferring off an ageing, costly quarterback by drafting one on a rookie deal.
Deion Sanders had a cryptic publish on Friday afternoon in regards to the No. 9 total decide, entertaining the truth that his son may very properly wind up in that spot.
Whereas Sanders isn’t Jalen Hurts, Moore’s offensive creativity may ease the transition for the rookie as he appears to be like to translate what labored at Colorado and Jackson State to the NFL.
If a staff earlier than the Saints, just like the Cleveland Browns, resolve to draft Sanders, NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay instructed the Saints as a touchdown spot for Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.
2. Go Get Aaron Rodgers
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws his five hundredth profession landing cross within the second quarter of the sport towards the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES For another unknown cause, it actually appears like Aaron Rodgers simply doesn’t wish to go to the Steelers.
He’s held them hostage for over a month. Reviews counsel Rodgers needed to attend and see if the Minnesota Vikings would specific curiosity, however that doesn’t look like taking place.
If we’re being sincere, Pittsburgh and Minnesota have extra gifted rosters than New Orleans. But when the Saints aren’t in love with any of the rookie quarterbacks at No. 9, signing Rodgers in free company may purchase Moore and basic supervisor Mickey Loomis time to plan for his or her quarterback of the long run.
3. Signal Carson Wentz in Free Company
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Carson Wentz (11) after the sport towards the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports activities Carson Wentz had been linked to the Browns, who as an alternative opted to reunite with 40-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco on Friday.
Wentz spent final season with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs — his fifth staff in 5 seasons — and has pale into NFL obscurity. But when higher choices don’t materialize, the Saints may make a desperation transfer, à la Andy Dalton, and herald Wentz as a bridge quarterback.
4. Carry Ryan Tannehill to New Orleans
Ryan Tannehill (17) and Malik Willis. supply: Getty Photographs Ryan Tannehill didn’t play final season, regardless of being the perfect free agent quarterback out there for a lot of the 12 months.
The Tennessee Titans dumped him for Mason Rudolph and Will Levis, a transfer that helped them land the No. 1 total decide within the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
It’s onerous to consider Tannehill is already 36, however he’s performed extra constant soccer than somebody like Wentz. We’re actually trying to find silver linings right here.
5. Simply Let Spencer Rattler Play
Dec 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) scrambles towards Washington Commanders defensive deal with Daron Payne (94) through the second half at Caesars Superdome. Necessary Credit score: Stephen Lew-Imagn Photographs The Saints chosen Spencer Rattler within the fifth spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was the subsequent quarterback off the board after the Broncos drafted Bo Nix in the midst of the primary spherical.
When Carr was sidelined final season, Rattler began six video games for New Orleans. The Saints misplaced each a kind of video games. He accomplished simply 57 % of his passes and threw 5 interceptions to 4 touchdowns.
Letting Rattler begin 17 video games would all however assure the Saints a shot at drafting Arch Manning — or whoever finally ends up being the No. 1 quarterback within the 2026 NFL Draft. The Saints have ignored rebuilding the quarterback place since Drew Brees retired. It could be time.