If you had told a Saints fan a couple of years ago that the 2025 season would end with a rookie from Louisville holding the keys to the franchise while Derek Carr watched from his couch, you’d have been laughed out of the French Quarter. But that’s exactly where we are. The New Orleans Saints QB 2025 situation has been a absolute rollercoaster, shifting from veteran stability to a full-blown youth movement that basically redefined the team's identity under Kellen Moore.
Honestly, the "Derek Carr era" didn't end with a bang; it ended with a medical retirement and a massive salary cap headache. When Carr stepped away in early 2025 following a shoulder injury that just wouldn't heal right, Mickey Loomis was backed into a corner. He did what Loomis does—he restructured the hell out of the contracts and then went shopping in the draft.
The Tyler Shough Takeover
Nobody expected Tyler Shough to be "the guy" this fast. Drafted at No. 40 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, he was the highest-drafted Saints quarterback since Archie Manning. That’s a heavy mantle. For most of the summer, he was actually playing second fiddle.
Spencer Rattler won the starting job out of training camp. People forget that. Rattler started the first eight games of the 2025 season, but the wheels fell off during a brutal 1-7 start. When Shough finally got the nod in Week 9 against the Rams, the energy in the building shifted.
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He’s 6-foot-5. He’s got a cannon. He runs a 4.63 forty. Basically, he’s the prototype that Kellen Moore has been itching to coach. Shough didn't just play; he shattered Saints rookie records. By the time January 2026 rolled around, Moore was already telling reporters that the team is "excited" to build the entire 2026 offseason around Shough.
Why Spencer Rattler is the Odd Man Out
It’s kinda sad for Rattler fans. He showed flashes. He completed 70% of his passes in the 2025 preseason and looked like he had finally matured past his college "Main Character" reputation. But the NFL is a "what have you done for me lately" business.
- The Record: You can't ignore the 1-7 start. While it wasn't all on him—the offensive line was a sieve early on—the quarterback usually takes the fall.
- The Stats: 1,586 yards and 8 touchdowns in 8 games. It’s... fine? But "fine" doesn't keep a second-round phenom like Shough on the bench.
- The Trade Market: As of mid-January 2026, rumors are swirling that the Saints might move Rattler. Teams like the Jets or the Cardinals, who are looking for a young guy with "starter traits" to compete, are already being linked to him by analysts like Ross Jackson.
Kellen Moore's New Vision
The Saints’ offense in 2025 looked nothing like the Sean Payton years or even the Pete Carmichael era. It’s more vertical. It’s more aggressive. Moore wants his QB to manipulate arm angles and push the ball.
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Jake Haener, the 2023 third-rounder, spent most of 2025 on the practice squad. It’s clear the new regime doesn't see him as the future. Then you have Hunter Dekkers, who was signed and waived ten different times before finally jumping to the UFL's Houston Gamblers this month. The "QB room" is essentially Shough’s kingdom now, with Taysom Hill still lurking as the Swiss Army Knife.
Breaking Down the 2025 Depth Chart
It’s worth looking at how this room actually shook out by the end of the year:
- Starter: Tyler Shough (The undisputed future)
- Backup: Spencer Rattler (Potentially on the trade block)
- The Joker: Taysom Hill (Still doing Taysom things)
- Practice Squad/Departed: Jake Haener, Hunter Dekkers
The Financial Fallout of 2025
Let’s talk money, because in New Orleans, the cap is always the secondary antagonist. Derek Carr’s retirement saved the Saints from paying his $30 million guaranteed salary for 2025, but the dead cap hits for 2026 are still looming—roughly $35.6 million.
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The silver lining? Shough is on a rookie contract. Having a starting-caliber quarterback making second-round money is the "cheat code" the Saints have needed for a decade. It allowed them to draft Kelvin Banks Jr. at tackle and focus on keeping Chris Olave happy.
What most people get wrong about the New Orleans Saints QB 2025 narrative is that it was a "failed" season. Sure, the record wasn't great, but they found their answer at the most important position in sports. They stopped "kicking the can" and finally took a swing on a young arm.
Actionable Insights for Who Dat Nation
If you’re tracking the Saints' progress into the 2026 offseason, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Trade Market: If Mickey Loomis moves Spencer Rattler before the 2026 draft, expect a mid-round pick in return. This would signal total commitment to Shough.
- Focus on the OL: Shough’s biggest weakness is his injury history (broken legs, collarbones, you name it). The Saints must use their remaining cap space to bolster the protection that looked shaky in early 2025.
- Offseason Development: Kellen Moore has already stated Shough will have the "full offseason" to work as the QB1. This is the first time since Brees that a young Saints QB has had that luxury without a veteran looming over his shoulder.
The transition is over. The Derek Carr era is a memory, the Spencer Rattler experiment has likely hit its ceiling in New Orleans, and the Tyler Shough era is officially in full swing. Keep your eyes on the 2026 draft—the Saints won't be looking for a QB this time; they'll be looking for the weapons to help Shough take the next leap.