The 2024 New Orleans Saints finished season 5-12. They took on a seven-game winning streak and lost five of their last six games. New Orleans finished on the ninth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, choosing Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas.
Derek Kerr suffered a serious shoulder injury against the Giants in Week 14. He did not return to the four games of the 2024 season. The 34-year-old was weighing his options and finally made a decision. After 11 seasons in the NFL, Derek Carr retired from the NFL. Who will start with QB in New Orleans in 2025?
Derek Kerr’s retirement sparked an open QB fight for the saints in 2025
Saints QB Derek Carr retired after 11 seasons. (via @rapsheet, @tompelissero, @mihekharafolo)) pic.twitter.com/irjj7pvv7v
– nfl (@nfl) May 10, 2025
Over the weekend, Saints QB Derekker announced his retirement from the NFL. This ends the uncertainty that was looming in the QB room this offseason. New Orleans wasn’t sure if Kerr would return for the 2025 season. However, QB suffered from a laceration in his lip and “had a major degenerative change in his rotator cuff.” It played on Carr’s decision to leave the NFL. Surgery was an option, but it would have put his 2025 campaign at risk.
With Derek Kerr announced his retirement, the Saints are left with an inexperienced quarterback room. It includes Spencer Rutler, Jake Haener and Rookie Tyler Schaff. Head coach Kellen Moore said all three QBs will have the opportunity this offseason. In 2024, Spencer Lattler played in seven games and started six times. Jake Haener played in eight games for New Orleans and got off to a single start.
The Saints also selected QB Tyler Shough from Louisville with a two-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Shough is 25 years old and a year older than Spencer Rattler. New Orleans will be holding an interesting QB competition this offseason. All three QBs are fairly inexperienced at the professional level. Head coach Kellen Moore said the QB competition will resolve “naturally” as the season approaches. Who will leave for Saints in the first week as QB?
