Early QB investment could spark ripple effects for Saints
04/08/2025
By Ross Jackson
There has been so much conversation around the New Orleans Saints and quarterbacks in this year’s NFL Draft. Often lost in those rumors and hypotheticals are what the Saints already have on their roster: four quarterbacks.
The Saints’ current roster includes starting quarterback Derek Carr, second-year passer Spencer Rattler, third-year signal caller Jake Haener, and veteran backup Ben DiNucci.
None of these options should prevent the Saints from taking a top quarterback in this year’s draft if they’re lucky enough for one to fall to them at pick No. 9 or if there’s another passer they feel highly about. But the selection would generate ripple effects, especially if the draft’s second, third, or maybe even fourth quarterbacks find their way to the Big Easy.
Here’s what could come from head coach Kellen Moore and his staff selecting their hand-picked quarterback in 2025 instead of waiting another year.
Derek Carr Could Force His Way Out
There were reports earlier this offseason, some of which have been echoed to LouisianaSports.Net from various sources with knowledge, that Carr was willing to test the market for another opportunity outside of New Orleans. That possibility halted, at least temporarily, when the team chose to restructure his contract.
The expectation is that Carr will be the starter in 2025 after being tied to the organization via the contract restructure. However, some possibilities open up after June 1, including a chance to trade the passer to another club.
This move would be shocking, as would the amount of dead cap that would be set to hit the books in 2026 (around $59 million). But teams have moved on from quarterbacks with far more financial implications in the past. Plus, with about $28 million of surplus still on the books for the Saints’ salary cap, rolling over a portion into next year could help to lessen the blow.
It’s hard to imagine that if Carr truly was willing to head elsewhere, adding his successor will change his mind.
Rattler or Haener On the Move
Another interesting result of an early quarterback investment this year could be the future of Rattler or Haener. Neither player was chosen by the team’s new coaching staff, so any expectation of loyalty may be more wishful thinking than reality. The business side of the NFL can often be unsightly.
If this year’s coaching staff handpicks a new quarterback, especially one with the potential to be the future of the franchise, Rattler and Haener could see their goals of starting in New Orleans gather an unmanageable distance.
In which case, they too could seek a chance to find an opportunity elsewhere. Should that happen, the Saints could potentially look to find a trade partner similar to the New England Patriots’ recent move with former Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton.
Keeping one young option wouldn’t be the worst decision if the other were moved on. Rattler looked to have won out when it came to last year’s coaching staff, perhaps he could build on the already promising feedback he’s received from Moore to do so again with this collection of coaches. Meanwhile, DiNucci potentially becomes the veteran mentor in the room.
Kellen Moore on Spencer Rattler pic.twitter.com/U9p1OSETpE
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) April 1, 2025
A Competition to be the Heir
Another scenario comes to fruition if the Saints select a quarterback that has potential, but is seen as additional competition to the young players in the room. A later-round option such as Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord may not be seen as an immediate challenger to the starting role, but is instead a challenger as heir to the throne.
In this instance, Carr holds on to his starting job for at least another year and the Saints use OTAs, training camp, and preseason as a chance to drive competition for his backup and potential successor as opposed to the eventual successor.
In any case, choosing a quarterback in this year’s class would be a weighty decision with a lot of residual impact. As uncomfortable as some options may seem, swinging at quarterbacks in order to find the future of the franchise isn’t a bad business practice.