The recent retirement of Derek Carr has left the New Orleans Saints in a challenging situation, as the team now finds itself with three quarterbacks on the roster who collectively hold a disheartening record of 0-7 as NFL starters. This unexpected turn of events sets the stage for a significant shift in the Saints' strategy as they look to rebuild their quarterback depth.
The remaining quarterbacks from last season include Spencer Rattler, a fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft, and Jake Haener, a fourth-round pick from 2023. During Carr's absence due to injuries last season, Rattler had the opportunity to start in six games, while Haener took the reins for one. Unfortunately, the Saints struggled during these matchups, finishing with a combined 0-7 record in those games. Both Rattler and Haener had a tough time, averaging just 5.8 yards per pass, which highlights the need for improvement as they gear up for the upcoming season.
Adding to the mix is Tyler Shough, a second-round rookie quarterback who brings a wealth of experience from his lengthy college career. At 25 years old, Shough has played for three different universities: Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville. The Saints were aware of Carr's significant shoulder injury when they drafted Shough, indicating that the franchise envisions him as a potential heir apparent to Carr. This makes the upcoming training camp all the more critical, as Shough will likely vie for a prominent role in the team's future.
Interestingly, while Taysom Hill is officially listed as a tight end on the Saints' roster, he is also their most experienced quarterback. With a commendable career record of 7-2 as a starter, Hill has proven his capability under center. His impressive stats include 193 completions on 302 attempts, accumulating 2,369 yards alongside 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Remarkably, Hill has outperformed the combined statistics of the other quarterbacks on the roster in terms of wins, completions, attempts, yards, and touchdowns.
As the Saints move forward, the question remains whether they will seek to acquire another quarterback to bolster their roster. For now, the team appears poised for an intense three-way training camp competition. This competition will not only determine the starting quarterback for the upcoming season but also shape the future of the franchise's offensive strategy.
In conclusion, with Derek Carr's retirement, the Saints are at a pivotal juncture. The combination of rookies and a seasoned player like Taysom Hill sets the stage for an exciting training camp, as the team looks to solidify its quarterback position for the seasons to come.
