NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
New Orleans Saints

Derek Carr is set to miss the entire season and the Saints have to decide: Rodgers? Shedeur Sanders?

The quarterback is carrying a shoulder injury he sustained in the 2024/25 NFL season.

Derek Carr is set to miss the entire season
Derek Carr is set to miss the entire season

Kellen Moore's time as head coach of the New Orleans Saints begins on the backfoot as he finds himself tasked with choosing a new quarterback, with Derek Carr injured for potentially all of the 2025/26 NFL season.

The 34-year-old has been carrying a shoulder injury he sustained in the previous season, and despite having months to recover to form for September, he could be forced to miss out even more time.

His injury could be so severe that he might need to undergo surgery to heal properly, according to Ian Rapoport.

"Huge news leading up to the draft for the Saints," Rapoport posted online. "Weighing options, including surgery, makes me think of a labral or AC injury, but no actual details have been released yet.

"If surgery isn't warranted, I would think Derek Carr would be ready for the 2025 season. Now we wait."

Who could the Saints sign?

The injury could force the Saints to become players for a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as an option in the free agent market or even on the trade market, as they bid to improve upon their 5-12 record.

So who do they have as options? Within their own house at the Caesars Superdome, they could, look to Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and Ben DiNucci. However, they're unlikely to give them the talent they need from a starter.

The big option on the market is Aaron Rodgers. The Super Bowl winner is a free agent after ending his time with the New York Jets, and whilst he doesn't seem to be the force he was with the Green Bay Packers; he still has a vast array of experience.

Another option could be Shedeur Sanders. Whilst he isn't tipped as an era-defining QB, he could be a solid starter to hold the fort whilst Carr recovers from his injury.

Gaining valuable NFL experience, he could then work on his game with a view to becoming starter as Carr ages into his late 30s and begins to think about retirement from the NFL.

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