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.

The Saints selected Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, in part due to concern over the injury to Carr. Despite his advanced age (25), Shough showed promise at the NFL Combine and Pro Day, giving the Saints reason to draft him.

After 11 NFL seasons, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement. Carr has been dealing with a shoulder injury throughout this offseason, and rather than getting surgery and missing the entire 2025 season, Carr chose to call it a career.