Saints' Top QB Free-Agent, Trade Targets to Compete with Shough After Carr Retires

The New Orleans Saints will have a new Week 1 starter in 2025.

Incumbent starter Derek Carr announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons. Carr was diagnosed with a labral tear and had "significant degenerative changes" to his rotator cuff that put his 2025 season in jeopardy.

While the Saints were aware that Carr may not be available for Week 1, his departure creates a hole in the quarterback room. Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and 2025 second-round pick Tyler Shough are currently on the depth chart and Shough could be the favorite to land the Week 1 role.

However, the Saints also could look to sign a free agent or trade for a veteran quarterback to join the room and compete with Shough for the job.

Here is a look at a few players who could don the black and gold in 2025.

Kirk Cousins

(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

A solution to the quarterback hole could require a trade with a division rival.

The Atlanta Falcons signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in the 2024 offseason. The team then selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and eventually went to him at the end of the 2024 season.

With Penix set to start, Cousins is a very expensive backup. While the Falcons have consistently stated that they are comfortable with Cousins in that role, a team like the Saints could get them out of the financial commitment and allow them to give Penix the starting role with some more breathing room.

Cousins threw for 3,508 yards with 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 2024. While these numbers weren't up to his past standard, he still would be the move proven quarterback on the Saints by a wide margin.

An intra-division trade may not be appealing to either team but it could satisfy a need for both sides.

Aaron Rodgers

(AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)

If the Saints look at the free agent market, Aaron Rodgers is still available.

The 41-year-old spent 2024 with the New York Jets and threw for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was released by the team following the season and has remained unsigned.

He has been heavily linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers and it looks like he will eventually sign there. However, New Orleans could join the sweepstakes and potentially convince the four-time MVP to take over.

Carson Wentz

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Another option on the free agent market could be former No. 2 pick Carson Wentz.

The 32-year-old spent the 2024 season as the backup for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a Pro Bowler in 2017 and has thrown for 22,410 yards and 153 touchdowns in his career.

His last full season as a starter came in 2021 with the Indianapolis Colts when he threw for 3,563 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Given his experience, Saints head coach Kellen Moore could look at Wentz as someone to help develop the rookie as a bridge quarterback.

Kenny Pickett

AP

The Cleveland Browns have a log jam at quarterback.

The team has incumbent starter Deshaun Watson, who suffered a ruptured Achilles in 2024 and is expected to miss a significant portion of 2025, and added Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

With spots already being limited, Pickett could easily be the odd one out and the Saints could look to scoop him up before a decision is made.

Pickett spent 2024 as the Philadelphia Eagles backup. His last season as a starter was in 2023 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has thrown for 4,765 yards with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in his career and would inject some experience into the quarterback room.