The Saints took Shough as the third quarterback off the board in the 2025 NFL draft, behind only No. 1 pick Cam Ward by the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants first-round pick Jaxson Dart. The Saints were in need of a quarterback with the uncertainty surrounding Carr's health.

While the Saints were aware that Carr may not be available for Week 1, his departure creates a hole in the quarterback room. Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and 2025 second-round pick Tyler Shough are currently on the depth chart and Shough could be the favorite to land the Week 1 role.

New Orleans Saints veteran quarterback Derek Carr is retiring because of a labral tear in his right shoulder and “significant degenerative changes” to his rotator cuff, the team announced