As a veteran walks away, the rookies stand up a little straighter than before and pay more attention. Especially because a chance for a promotion in the depth chart doesn’t come that often when you’ve just been drafted to the team. And that’s the story of Tyler Shough heading into a QB room lined with Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler. Shough’s mission is laid out ahead of him like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The only thing to do is make his intentions known loud and clear.
With Derek Carr gone, the Saints’ rookie has a world of opportunities lined up ahead of him. It’s not every day we talk about a rookie who went straight to QB1 after being drafted. The last guy who started for the Saints right after being drafted was Archie Manning. If Tyler Shough can match up to that legend, that would be history right from the start of his Saints career. And Shough’s story is a bit different, it hits a bit harder right from the start. After all, he’s not just your average rookie.
Tyler Shough comes to the Saints’ QB room after amassing 7 seasons of college experience. That’s got to count for a lot as far as his chances are concerned. Just recently, he had a clear message for the world: “That’s all you can for is an opportunity, at any position – whoever is on the roster, I’ve got to continue to grow and get better and do my best to elevate the QB room and the team. For me, I was going to come in regardless of [Carr] being here or not and try and continue to grow.” Shough is coming off a 2024 season marked by glory. The dude threw for 3,195 yards and got a total of 23 clean TDs. So, the numbers are there. All that matters now is how he matches up to Derek Carr’s contributions and owns the QB competition.
Tyler Shough has been SHINING early on and reportedly had the “highlight of the day” today (50+ yard bomb).
Shough was reportedly 7/8 (88%) during the 7-on-7 portion of practice.
While Spencer Rattler (Saints QB) was slightly better at 8/8 (100%).
Rattler (Saints QB) has… pic.twitter.com/m0MyfobssU
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) May 23, 2025
Spencer Rattler’s performance in 2024 wasn’t good, to say the least. He went 0-6 after being the starter. As for Jake Haener, he’s giving it his all to win the QB competition against the other two. As NFL Rookie Watch reported recently, “Rattler (Saints QB) has reportedly made it clear that he ‘took it personal’ that the Saints drafted Shough and is competing with a vengeance. Kellen Moore (Saints HC) has reportedly been ‘impressed’ at how well Shough sees the field and the arm angles he’s able to throw at. The Saints rookie QB is in for the battle of his LIFE” The battle has surely heated up for Tyler Shough. Haener’s minor injury also gives Shough a slight edge in the competition. And with the Carr-shaped hole in the wall, Shough looks like the favorite to win the QB1 spot this season.
But what about Derek Carr? Well, the veteran QB isn’t looking back. He’s looking forward to a life full of fun and family. But of course, you can’t ever leave football, right? So he’s doing his part for the next generation and expanding the family business.
Carr’s out, Shough’s in – and the QB turns CEO
Derek Carr’s NFL career took an unexpected turn, to say the least. After suffering a severe shoulder injury (labral tear and degenerative rotator cuff), he turned down his $150 million Saints deal and then quietly left. He left New Orleans with a 14–13 record, a $10M roster bonus, and a $30M guaranteed. He never made the recovery he had hoped for under Kellen Moore. So, when retirement called, he listened.
But for Carr, this isn’t farewell, this is just the beginning. He and his brother, David Carr, recently became ambassadors for the dairy-free dessert company Frönen, transforming freezer aisles into the next arena. Beaming with pride, Carr wrote, “From the football field to the freezer aisle… this is personal.” And no, it’s not some side gig, it’s a full-fledged family business. Carr agreed, laughing, that it’s their wives who are the ‘brains’ behind this project. Safe to say, he may have retired, but his drive has just been rerouted.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA New Orleans Saints-Derek Carr press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz Mar 11, 2023 Metairie, LA, USA New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr 4 speaks at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Metairie Ochsner Sports Performance Center LA USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xStephenxLewx 20230311_tbs_la1_086
Carr is doing well now that he has $80 million in the bank and a freezer full of aspirations. Besides coaching his children and playing golf, he and David co-run the Home Grown Media YouTube channel, where they post NFL nuggets for the future generation of quarterbacks. In a recent video, Derek, while giving rookies Tyler Shough and Shedeur Sanders guidance, asked, “POV: you just got drafted—now what?” The Carrs are educating the next class in everything from the media game to locker room leadership. “Like this is your job. Yeah, it’s a different animal. And so it’s a big transition, but leaning on the veterans, asking them questions. That’s all I did. I asked questions. I tried to learn,” said Derek.
The Saints fans can question whether Shough can replace Carr. But the former quarterback is already moving on to the next phase of his career. No pity party. Just sideline mentorship, legacy-building, and popsicles.
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