The hangover lasted way longer than anyone in New Orleans wanted to admit. When Drew Brees walked off the Superdome turf for the last time in early 2021, most fans figured the "rebuild" would be a quick pit stop. We were wrong. For years, the New Orleans Saints QBs room looked like a rotating door of "what-ifs" and expensive gambles that never quite paid out.
It’s 2026 now. The dust is finally settling.
Honestly, the last few seasons felt like a fever dream. We watched Jameis Winston’s "no-risk-it-no-biscuit" era, the Taysom Hill experiment that wouldn't die, and the Derek Carr years that basically served as a $150 million lesson in salary cap gymnastics. But if you look at where the depth chart stands today, the vibe in the 504 has shifted. It’s younger. It’s cheaper.
And, for the first time since #9 retired, it actually feels like there’s a plan.
The Tyler Shough Era: A Second-Round Steal?
Nobody expected Tyler Shough to be the guy. When the Saints grabbed him at 40th overall in the 2025 draft, the reaction was… mixed. He was 25 years old. He’d been in college since Trevor Lawrence was a freshman. People called him "too old" or "injury prone" because of his time at Oregon and Texas Tech.
But then the 2025 season happened.
After Spencer Rattler struggled through a brutal 1-7 start, head coach Kellen Moore handed the keys to Shough in Week 9 against the Rams. He didn't just play; he survived. Then he thrived. Shough finished the year with 2,384 passing yards and a 67.6% completion rate. Those aren't just "rookie numbers"—they're the kind of stable, middle-of-the-field efficiency the Saints haven't had in years.
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He led a four-game win streak to end the season. That hasn't happened in New Orleans since 2020.
What makes Shough interesting isn't just his arm. It's the grit. Remember that December game in Tampa? Rain-soaked. Ugly. Shough threw for less than 150 yards, but he ran for two touchdowns, including a 13-yarder in the fourth quarter that basically broke the Bucs' spirit. He’s currently the projected starter for 2026, and for once, the front office isn't scouring the veteran scrap heap for a replacement.
The Spencer Rattler Reality Check
We have to talk about Spencer Rattler. Last year, the "Rattler Hive" was real. After the Saints took him in the fifth round in 2024, he showed enough flashes to win the starting job out of camp in 2025.
It started okay. He threw for three scores against the 49ers in Week 2. He looked like the playmaker everyone wanted him to be. But the NFL is mean. Defenses adjusted, the offensive line (which was essentially a construction zone) crumbled, and Rattler’s tendency to hold the ball led to a lot of hits.
By mid-season, the "Saints QBs" conversation had shifted from "Rattler is the future" to "Can he protect himself?" He finished 2025 as the backup after a finger injury sidelined him in the finale. Now, heading into 2026, he’s in a weird spot. He’s clearly talented—his 86.5 passer rating is solid for a young guy—but he’s officially the QB2.
The Derek Carr "Farmer" Departure
You can't discuss the current state of the position without mentioning how we got here. The Derek Carr era ended in a way no one saw coming: retirement.
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In early 2025, Carr walked away from $30 million. He basically told the world he was headed back to his farm. It was a shocker, especially given the Saints were looking at a projected $69.2 million cap hit for him in 2026. Because he retired and waived some guarantees, the Saints managed to dodge a total financial apocalypse, though they still carried a massive dead cap hit.
Was he the problem? Kinda. Was he the only problem? Definitely not.
Carr’s tenure was defined by "check-downs and sighs." He was a pro’s pro, but the chemistry with the fans never clicked. His departure cleared the runway for the Shough-Rattler youth movement, which, while riskier on the field, is a lot easier on the team's accountants.
What Happened to Jake Haener?
If you're looking for Jake Haener on the 2026 roster, you won't find him. As of January 2026, Haener became a free agent after the Saints declined to offer him a new deal.
The "Fresno Fireball" was a preseason darling, but he never got the regular-season traction needed to stick. Reports have him drawing interest from teams looking for a smart, "coach-on-the-field" backup, but his time in New Orleans is done. It’s a reminder of how quickly the window closes in this league. One minute you’re the "future," the next you’re replaced by a second-round pick from Louisville.
Current Saints QB Depth Chart (Early 2026 Projection)
- Tyler Shough (Starter): The 6'5" former Cardinal has the locker room and the stats. He’s the undisputed QB1 entering the offseason.
- Spencer Rattler (Backup): Needs to prove he can play with more discipline. If Shough stumbles, Rattler is a high-upside insurance policy.
- Taysom Hill (The Wildcard): He’s still here. Even at 35, he’s still poaching goal-line carries and throwing the occasional 40-yard bomb. He’s recovering from an AC joint injury, but you can't kill a legend.
Why the 2026 Outlook is Actually Bright
For the first time in five years, the Saints aren't "cap-strapped" by a veteran quarterback who provides average production. They have two guys on rookie-scale contracts.
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That matters because it let them actually fix the offensive line. Drafting Kelvin Banks Jr. at 9th overall in 2025 was a godsend for Shough. You give a guy with Shough’s arm time to throw to Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, and suddenly the Saints' offense looks… explosive?
They finished 2025 at 6-11, which sounds bad. But look at the context. They went 5-4 with Shough. They won four of their last five. The momentum is real.
The strategy is finally clear:
- Stop chasing mid-tier veterans.
- Trust the scouting department.
- Build around the QB, not just the defense.
If you’re a fan, the "New Orleans Saints QBs" saga is moving into a more stable chapter. It might not be the Hall of Fame fireworks of the Brees years, but the 2026 season feels like the start of something sustainable.
Actionable Next Steps for 2026:
If you're following the team this offseason, keep a close eye on Shough's development in Kellen Moore's Year 2 system. The team needs to add a veteran "mentor" style QB3 to that room now that Haener is gone. Also, watch the waiver wire; the Saints have the flexibility now to grab a developmental arm without breaking the bank. The days of $40 million cap hits at QB are over, and honestly, we’re all better for it.