Saints Reportedly 'Really High' on Tyler Shough, 'Hope' He'll Be QB1 as Carr Retires

The New Orleans Saints reportedly feel that 2025 second-round pick Tyler Shough can earn the starting quarterback role following veteran Derek Carr's retirement.

Carr announced his retirement on Saturday after 11 seasons in the NFL. He notably suffered a shoulder injury that ended his 2024 season and put his 2025 season in jeopardy.

Following Carr's shocking announcement, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on SportsCenter that the Saints are "really high" on Shough:

"Tyler Shough, they're really high on him," Fowler said. "Assuming things go well in the next three or four months, there's really no reason why he can't see the field in 2025 because of the pedigree and the experience he already comes in with. I'd call him the early favorite."

Fowler continued by saying that the team hopes Shough can win the starting role for Week 1:

"They hope so," Fowler said. "The Saints did a ton of work on quarterbacks in the draft. They looked hard at Jaxson Dart. That felt like No. 9 overall would be a little high for them where they were picking in the first round. So, early second round they targeted Shough, who has got some arm strength. He's got some major ability."

Shough was rated as the No. 113 overall player and the No. 7 quarterback in the draft class by Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department. The Saints were much higher on Shough as they made him the third quarterback off the board at No. 40 overall.

The 25-year-old played seven collegiate seasons between Oregon, Texas Tech and Louisville. In 2024, Shough threw for 3,195 yards with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions while leading the team to a 9-4 record.

He joins a Saints quarterback room that consists of Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. Both Rattler and Haener saw time for New Orleans in 2024 after Carr's injury but neither were able to lead the team to any wins.

The Saints finished 5-12 and hired new head coach Kellen Moore to lead the team. While they could look to the free agent or trade market to acquire quarterback depth, the high selection of Shough and limited experience in the room means that he should have a solid chance at claiming the starting job in Week 1.