4 Options the New Orleans Saints Need to Consider to Replace Derek Carr

With Derek Carr having what looks like a torn labrum, the Saints don’t have a plan at quarterback. Their next best on the roster is Spencer Rattler and we saw the disaster that turned out to be. Carr is likely to miss most of the season and the Saints need to do something to replace him. We’ll be looking at 4 potential options that the Saints could do to replace him. 

Aaron Rodgers

The Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes continues, but an unlikely destination for the 41 year old is in the Big Easy. The Saints haven’t been linked to Rodgers at all, but the destinations that have been holding out for Rodgers appear to be giving up. The Browns signed Joe Flacco, the Giants picked up Russell Wilson & Jameis Winston, and the Steelers have said they’re comfortable rocking with Mason Rudolph. If Rodgers does want to continue to play, ending his career in the warm heat in New Orleans would be a nice way to go out. 

Ryan Tannehill 

After not getting signed in 2024, Ryan Tannehill sat out the entire season as a free agent. Ryan Tannehill has made it known he wants to play but only if the opportunity is right. This means he only would play if he got the opportunity to start. A team he’s been in discussions with is the Minnesota Vikings where the health of JJ McCarthy is still up in the air. If Minnesota doesn’t add Tannehill, New Orleans is another place where Tannehill can see action. Tannehill is also an upgrade over Derek Carr and could bring a spark back into this offense, much like he did when he won Comeback Player of the Year with the Tennessee Titans in his first year there. The Saints are in a weird middle ground space where they can’t compete but aren’t in a rebuilding spot, having a bridge quarterback like Tannehill to take them to a 7-10 record is not a bad outcome.

Sam Howell

With the Seattle Seahawks resigning Drew Lock, there’s not much need to keep two prime backups on the roster. The more experienced of the two is Drew Lock which leaves Sam Howell dead out of water. Howell only had one year of starting under his belt where he threw almost 4,000 yards, but did lead the league in interceptions with 21 on his way to a 4-13 record. This was one year before the Commanders did a complete turnaround of the franchise and Howell was completely forgotten about. Howell deserves another opportunity to start and there’s no better opportunity than New Orleans. If New Orleans misses on a quarterback early in the draft, trading a late round pick for Howell would be a solid scenario. 

Jaxson Dart

Assuming New Orleans does not trade up into the top 5 to select Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, there’s one quarterback prospect that we love that is criminally underrated and that’s Jaxson Dart. If they can land him with their 2nd round pick, he can end up being the future of the franchise. Dart has a cannon of an arm and his Senior Bowl performance has him skyrocketing up draft boards.