The Saints QB Options after Derek Carr Revelation
Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama)
Oct 26, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) warms up at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-Imagn Images.
Suddenly, the New Orleans Saints could need a new quarterback in 2025.
The Saints QB Options after Derek Carr Revelation
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted Friday, 13 days before the 2025 NFL Draft: “The Saints suddenly have a major QB question: Starter Derek Carr is now dealing with a shoulder injury that threatens his availability for this season, sources say. Carr is weighing options, including the possibility of surgery.”
“Derek Carr’s 2024 season ended prematurely with a fractured non-throwing hand. Now, a shoulder injury has put his availability for 2025 in doubt.”
The revelation arrived out of left field, leaving the Saints in a lurch per roster planning.
And if Carr misses some or all of the 2025 season, these are New Orleans’ options at quarterback, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely to materialize).
7. Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers has drawn out his free-agent saga for over a month already. If he plans to wait indefinitely, he could capitalize on adverse news like Carr’s this week.
Oct 31, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks off the field after the Jets win over the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images.
For example, the Minnesota Vikings would probably call Rodgers if something happened to J.J. McCarthy.
Yet, because Rodgers has not signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers — the man loves the spotlight — he’s still on the open market and could take the plunge with New Orleans if it represented a better QB1 spot than Pittsburgh, in his estimation.
6. Kirk Cousins via Trade with Divison Foe
Cousins, as a viable option, would rank higher if he didn’t work in the NFC South.
A non-NFC-South team can probably trade a 5th-Rounder or so for Cousins’ services during the draft. The price could climb to a 4th-Rounder with the NFC South tax, possibly the Saints’ No. 131 pick.
The Saints would trade for Cousins and be well on their way to finishing 8-9 in 2025.
5. Draft Jalen Milroe at No. 40
Milroe has experienced a draft spark within the last week; some have even whispered he could be dragged into Round 1. That’s probably unlikely, on the whole, but why not the Saints at pick No. 40, a franchise now quasi-desperate for a quarterback?
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) celebrates after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images
Kellen Moore would start his head coaching career with an ultra-mobile passer. It might work.
4. Trade for Will Levis
There’s just no way the Titans can keep Cam Ward and Will Levis on the same roster. Too awkward.
So, similar to the non-NFC-South trade price for Cousins, the Saints could ship a 5th-Rounder to Tennessee for Levis, and the young passer would continue his development in New Orleans.
One could argue that the Titans mailed it in on Levis too prematurely. His career doesn’t have to be doomed.
3. Reach for Jaxson Dart
Akin to Milroe, Dart has enjoyed a sweet couple of weeks and is now a sportsbook favorite to be drafted in Round 1.
Nov 11, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) on the field prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images.
Out of sheer necessity — not an ideal way to draft — the Saints could spend their ninth overall pick on Dart if Shedeur Sanders isn’t available.
There’s also a world, albeit in a far-off galaxy, where Dart surpasses Sanders in the draft’s pecking order.
2. Roll with Spencer Rattler
This doesn’t have to be an almighty endorsement for Rattler. Rather, New Orleans resigns to its fate that 2025 will play out miserably and determines if Rattler has the long-term juice for QB1.
If he does not, leaving New Orleans likely situated with a 4-13 record or something similar, the Saints pivot all attention to the 2026 NFL Draft, when they can onboard Texas quarterback Arch Manning. You might know his bloodline.
1. Draft Shedeur Sanders at No. 9
It didn’t take long for this theory to grow legs.
Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; S. Sanders on the red carpet before Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
During the same week that Sanders’ draft stock tumbled, Carr’s future became rocky. Sanders’ stock plummet directly aligns with the Saints’ emergent and blossoming quarterback need. It’s a bit storybook.
Deion Sanders, Shedeur’s father, even seems to like the idea.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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