New Orleans is a city that lives and dies by its rhythm, and for the better part of two decades, that rhythm was set by the right arm of Drew Brees. But honestly? That era is ancient history now. If you've been following the New Orleans Saints QB situation lately, you know the vibe in the Superdome has shifted from "status quo" to something a lot more unpredictable.
It's 2026. The Derek Carr era ended with a surprise retirement announcement back in May 2025, leaving a massive hole and a mountain of dead cap space that Mickey Loomis had to navigate like a magician. Most people thought the Saints would be wandering in the wilderness for a decade. Instead, we’re looking at a youth movement that actually has some teeth.
The Tyler Shough Takeover: Why He’s the Guy (For Now)
Let’s talk about Tyler Shough. When the Saints grabbed him at No. 40 overall in the 2025 draft, the draft "experts" were skeptical. He was 25 years old coming out of Louisville. People called him "too old" for a rookie. They worried about his injury history at Oregon and Texas Tech.
But Kellen Moore, the Saints' offensive coordinator, saw something else. He saw a 6-foot-5 frame and a guy who had played enough college ball to not blink when an NFL blitz comes screaming off the edge.
Shough didn't even start the 2025 season as the guy. Spencer Rattler actually won the job in training camp. But after the team stumbled to a 1-7 start under Rattler, Moore made the switch. And honestly? It saved the locker room. Shough went 5-4 as a starter. He didn't just play; he looked like he belonged. He put up over 2,200 yards and 10 touchdowns in just nine games.
He’s not Brees. He’s not even Carr. But he’s a New Orleans Saints QB who can actually move. That road win against Tampa Bay in the rain? That was the moment. Shough didn't have a single passing touchdown that day, but he ran for two scores, including a 13-yarder in the fourth quarter that basically told the rest of the NFC South that the Saints weren't dead yet.
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What Happened to Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener?
The backup situation in New Orleans is usually a game of musical chairs, but the chairs are being removed one by one. Jake Haener, the 2023 fourth-round pick, is basically out of the picture. He became a free agent after the 2025 season, and the word around the facility is that he won’t be back. He was a "practice hero" who could never quite translate that to the field when the lights were bright.
Then there’s Spencer Rattler.
Rattler is still under contract for two more seasons, and Loomis has been adamant that they aren't looking to trade him. He’s the insurance policy. While Shough has the momentum, Rattler showed flashes of that elite arm talent that made him a five-star recruit once upon a time. He set a franchise rookie record for passing yards in 2024, but the 1-7 start in 2025 really soured the fanbase.
It’s a weird dynamic. You’ve got a second-year starter in Shough and a former starter in Rattler sitting right behind him. It’s competitive, sure, but it’s also a bit of a tightrope for the coaching staff.
The Financial Fallout of the Derek Carr Retirement
You can't talk about the New Orleans Saints QB room without talking about the money. Derek Carr’s retirement was a shocker, but it was also a gift in disguise for the Saints' front office.
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- Dead Money: It dropped from nearly $60 million to about $30.9 million for 2026.
- Cap Space: The Saints are actually projected to be "in the black" (positive cap space) for the first time in what feels like forever.
- Flexibility: This allows them to actually build a roster around a cheap rookie contract instead of constantly restructuring veterans to stay afloat.
Mickey Loomis mentioned recently that they aren't going to "skip steps." They know Shough only has nine starts under his belt. They aren't ready to crown him as the next franchise legend, but they are ready to give him the keys for a full 17-game slate in 2026.
What Most Fans Get Wrong About the 2026 Draft
There’s this rumor floating around that the Saints are going to use their No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 Draft on another quarterback. Honestly, that feels like a stretch.
With Dante Moore deciding to stay at Oregon, the QB class for 2026 took a hit. If you look at the Saints' roster, they have massive holes on the offensive line. They need to protect whoever is under center. Using a top-10 pick on a tackle like Kelvin Banks Jr. makes way more sense than gambling on another signal-caller when Shough just went 4-1 to finish the season.
Kellen Moore wants to build a system. He wants a full offseason with Shough as the undisputed QB1. When you hear Moore talk, he sounds like a guy who is done experimenting. He wants to see what Shough can do with a healthy Chris Olave and a full year of this scheme.
Real Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're looking for the "smart" take on the Saints' future, look at the efficiency numbers. Shough completed over 67% of his passes last year. That's high-level stuff for a rookie. He isn't just chucking it deep; he's making the right reads.
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The danger? The "sophomore slump" is a real thing. NFL defensive coordinators now have nine games of tape on Tyler Shough. They know he likes to scramble to his right. They know he trusts his tight ends over the middle a little too much sometimes. How he adjusts to those adjustments will define his career.
Basically, the Saints have found a "bridge" that might actually turn into a "destination." It's been a wild ride since Brees walked away, through the Jameis Winston experiments and the Carr era, but for the first time in years, the quarterback room doesn't feel like a crisis. It feels like a project.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Analysts
- Monitor the 2026 Draft: Keep a close eye on the Saints' pick at No. 8. If they pass on a QB and go for an Offensive Tackle, it’s a 100% vote of confidence in Tyler Shough.
- Watch the Backup Market: With Jake Haener hitting free agency, see if the Saints bring in a cheap veteran. If they don't, it means they are fully committed to the Shough/Rattler duo as a 1-2 punch.
- Track the Cap Space: Now that the Carr "dead money" is manageable, look for Loomis to be aggressive in free agency to help the defense. A better defense means less pressure on a young QB to win shootouts.
The rhythm of New Orleans football is changing. It's younger, it's cheaper, and if the end of 2025 was any indication, it might actually be winning again.
End of Article. No further questions or conversational prompts. The Saints' quarterback trajectory for 2026 is now clearly defined by Tyler Shough's incumbency and a newly stabilized financial outlook.