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Saints' QB Room Post Derek Carr Retirement Draws Strong Criticism

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Orlando Silva | Last updated May 10, 2025 12:22 PM ET

The New Orleans Saints entered the 2025 NFL offseason with several questions to answer, starting with Derek Carr's future with the franchise. The veteran quarterback was reluctant to rework his four-year, $150 million contract.

They finally agreed to rework the veteran quarterback's contract, which would have gotten him a base salary of $1.25 million and a roster bonus of $38.7 million.

This was a positive sign for the NFC South franchise, but the optimism about their partnership with Carr appeared to be under constant threat. He was dealing with a shoulder injury that put his status for the 2025 season in jeopardy.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday that after trying different methods and being told he needed to get a surgery that would keep him sidelined for the entire 2025 campaign, Carr decided to call it a career.

#Saints QB Derek Carr, dealing with a shoulder injury that requires surgery that would knock him out for the 2025 season, is retiring, per The Insiders.

While Carr tried an injection and rehab, it wouldn’t allow him to be 100% until another procedure. Both sides move on. pic.twitter.com/sHbCq9nqVw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 10, 2025

The former Las Vegas Raiders playmaker tried both an injection and physical rehabilitation, but the possibility of being back to 100% relied strictly on him getting another procedure.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reminded fans about the status of the team's quarterback room with Carr out of the picture. The Saints have three quarterbacks on the roster: Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and Tyler Shough.

This update raised plenty of eyebrows among fans, who didn't hesitate to criticize how the team was constructed or how the Saints missed opportunities to bring more firepower to the QB room.

"Saints are COOKED," one fan said.

"Should’ve picked shedeur," another fan said.

"That’s crazy work," a third fan said.

QB1 battle between Shough and Rattler
— Gatsby (@ZachGatsby) May 10, 2025

Kirko Chainz is ready pic.twitter.com/8REaYvjO4m
— & (@LineStarApp) May 10, 2025

I understand Shedeur has character issues but he’s better than every QB on that list LMFAOO. Saints screwed themselves
— watch girls band cry! (@riggubknowsball) May 10, 2025

Rattler and Haener took the field last season, especially when Carr missed some time due to injury. They couldn't move the needle and left not-so-positive impressions on fans.

Shough is a question mark, as it's unclear what the team is planning to do with him. New Orleans has struggled to find success and be competitive since Drew Brees retired and now that Carr is taking the same path, their future doesn't look that promising.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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