Saints' Kellen Moore gives Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler a key hint on how they can win the starting QB job after Derek Carr retires

The New Orleans Saints have a new head coach at the helm, and now, they are preparing themselves for a new starting quarterback for Week 1 of the regular season as well. Derek Carr announced his retirement on Saturday morning, shaking the NFL world up. 

Kellen Moore describes expectations for starting QB

Kellen Moore has a big decision to make entering the upcoming season, choosing between Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener (as of now). We will see if the Saints attempt to sign a veteran option in free agency to add depth and possibly replace Haener. 

Regardless, Moore recently made it clear that the next QB will be a team leader. He clearly values leadership and wants his starter to hold himself accountable, as well as his teammates on a consistent basis. 

"The quarterback has no choice. It's a leadership role and there's no real way around that, and so it's really important to see these guys take ownership and go for it and so that really comes alive when you get into training camp, in pads, when you get into preseason games and all of us get to the sideline and let these guys roll and so we feel really good about that." -- Kellen Moore via Jeff Nowak

Carr's surprise retirement

The decision from Carr came a bit out of nowhere. 

There were murmurs that the aging quarterback may not play this season, but retirement was not discussed quite as often. No matter what - he felt that it was his best course of action for his future and overall health. Cannot blame him there. 

For the Saints, it opens the door for them to hit the reset button a bit easier. They have young QB options, and depending on how the season progresses, may be in a good spot to draft another top-flight option in the 2026 NFL Draft at quarterback.