The unexpected retirement of Derek Carr has thrown the New Orleans Saints into a whirlwind, leaving them with three young quarterbacks: rookie Tyler Shaff, second-year Prospencer Rattler, and third-year Prospencer Haener. It might not be the ideal situation, especially since Rattler and Haener are a combined 0-7 as starters.
On the other hand, there’s Shough, a promising 25-year-old second-round pick. He was reportedly highly regarded during the 2025 draft, much like recent rookie standouts Jayden Daniels and CJ Stroud. He could even emerge as a top prospect for the 2026 draft.
The Saints’ future quarterbacking decisions could become even more intriguing, especially with names like Texas quarterback Arch Manning and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier in the mix. Manning’s ties to New Orleans—being the grandson of Saints legend Archie Manning and an alumnus of the local Isidore Newman School—add a layer of local sentiment. Interestingly, Archie is the last first-round quarterback the Saints drafted, dating back to 1971.
While many expect Manning to spend a few years in college, possibly targeting the 2027 draft instead, there’s always the magnetic pull of playing for the hometown team, particularly when everything seems to line up. Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier certainly feels invested in the future quarterback selection, possibly leaning toward his son, Garrett, who led the SEC last season with impressive stats before opting to return to LSU to enhance his draft stock.
During Super Bowl Week, Doug remarked that he hadn’t fully considered coaching his son at this level yet, but that it remains a valuable prospect. He emphasized Garrett’s resilience in facing challenges, highlighting that maintaining composure is crucial in such a competitive position.
As for Carr, he chose retirement over undergoing shoulder surgery aimed at fixing a shoulder tear, which is undeniably a significant decision for a 34-year-old player.
