The New Orleans Saints were thrown a curveball this offseason with Derek Carr’s shoulder injury. The quarterback played in 10 games last season and decided to retire after passing on surgery to fix the issue.
Newly acquired safety Justin Reid recently discussed Carr’s retirement on the “Ross Tucker Podcast.”
Justin Reid Discusses Saints’ Outlook After Derek Carr’s Departure
Carr played well in 2024, finishing 11th in PFSN’s QB+ metric, but suffered multiple injuries that limited him to 10 games. He was 11th in expected points added per dropback, EPA/DB (0.11), and finished the year 12th when working under pressure (-0.20 EPA/DB). Carr was also ninth in TD/INT rate (3.0) and inside the top 10 for nYPA (7.5; sixth).
He threw for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Carr missed three games early in the season with an oblique injury, then was ruled out for the year after suffering a concussion and fractured hand in Week 14. Carr went 5-5 in his 10 games, but the combination of Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener went 0-7 the rest of the year.
New Orleans restructured Carr’s contract to save $30 million earlier this offseason. This was seen as the team committing to Carr before the 2025 NFL Draft, as the Saints had been linked to some big-name quarterback prospects.
And just after the 2025 NFL Draft, Carr announced his retirement. Meanwhile, New Orleans signed Reid to a three-year, $31.5 million deal this offseason. He brings two Super Bowl wins and seven years of experience to the team. Reid went through a similar quarterback situation when he was with the Houston Texans, and he recently spoke about the opportunity facing the Saints.
On the “Ross Tucker Podcast,” Reid said, “The one thing that’s consistent in the NFL is that things are always changing. The [Derek] Carr news did come as a surprise when I heard it. I’m always an optimistic guy, and I look at things as opportunities. I see the place that we are now as an organization … similar to what the [Houston] Texans went through when I was there, and Deshaun Watson moved on.
“The one thing that’s consistent in the NFL is that things are always changing. ..”
“The Carr news did come as a surprise…”
Saints safety @JustinqReid gives his thoughts on Derek Carr’s retirement: pic.twitter.com/VlqbZ9H1g8
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) June 4, 2025
“You’re looking for that next franchise quarterback. … We have some young guys that have an opportunity in front of them, and we’re looking for the guy who’s gonna grab it with both hands and be a leader for this organization.”
What Is New Orleans’ QB Situation Without Carr?
The Saints ultimately drafted Tyler Shough in the second round, and Shough is listed as the Saints’ starting quarterback, with Rattler and Haener returning for 2025. Despite Carr’s strong performance, the team’s offense finished 22nd in PFSN’s Offense+ metric last season, mostly thanks to the poor quarterback play when Carr was out.
Shough is a unique rookie at 25 years old. The Louisville product played for three teams over seven years in college, with injuries ending multiple seasons. 2024 was the only year he played more than seven games, and he threw for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Kellen Moore is New Orleans’ new head coach and hopes to get the best out of Shough quickly. The Saints were good enough to compete in the NFC South last year with good quarterback play. It’s tough to say goodbye to Carr, but New Orleans should be in the mix if Shough lives up to the billing, with the South not getting significantly better over the offseason.
