The New Orleans Saints, entering the 2025 season with new head coach Kellen Moore, face uncertainty at the quarterback position following Derek Carr's shoulder injury revelation, which might sideline him for the entire season. While Moore, known for his offensive prowess, has not named Carr as the definitive starter, GM Mickey Loomis seemed to imply Carr's role as the main QB until the injury surfaced. Amid this turmoil, the Saints chose to draft Tyler Shough, a decision criticized by some, including Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report, who argued that Shedeur Sanders would have been a safer pick due to Shough's injury history and inconsistent college performance. Sobleski rated the Shough selection poorly, citing Sanders' consistent success at Jackson State and Colorado as a more reliable choice. Sean Labar, a seasoned NFL and college football writer, has been covering these developments, bringing his extensive experience to analyze the Saints' controversial draft decisions and their potential impact on the upcoming season.

Kellen Moore, the new head coach of the New Orleans Saints, is recognized for his successful stint as an offensive coordinator, leading teams like the Eagles, where he contributed to a Super Bowl victory with Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and AJ Brown.

Derek Carr's unexpected shoulder injury has thrown the Saints' quarterback plans into disarray, with speculation about his availability for the 2025 season increasing after his confirmation during a church service.

Despite Carr's injury, the Saints drafted Tyler Shough, a move that surprised many given his injury-plagued college career and limited production, raising questions about their draft strategy.

Critics like Brent Sobleski have expressed disappointment in the Saints' choice to pass on Shedeur Sanders, who showed consistent performance at Jackson State and Colorado, arguing that Sanders would have been a more reliable option.

The decision to pick Shough over Sanders earned the Saints a 'D' grade from Sobleski, who considered the move a 'draft travesty' due to Shough's history of injuries and Sanders' proven track record.

Sean Labar, with over 15 years of experience in covering NFL and college football, provides insights into the Saints' controversial draft decision, highlighting the potential long-term impact on the team's success.

The Saints' quarterback dilemma, coupled with Moore's strategic acumen, sets the stage for a challenging season as they navigate their roster choices amidst high expectations and significant pressure.

The New Orleans Saints are heading into the 2025 season with a new head coach in Kellen Moore. 

Moore — who had a long career as a backup QB in the NFL — has cemented himself as an offensive mastermind and has climbed the coaching ranks due to his success as an offensive coordinator in the NFL. 

Before taking the Saints job, Moore led the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory last season with an offense led by Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and AJ Brown. 

Prior to that stop, Moore had successful stints with Justin Herbert and the Chargers and Dak Prescott and the Cowboys. 

In his introductory press conference after taking the Saints job, Moore was complimentary of Derek Carr, but didn’t officially name him as the starting QB for 2025. 

In an offseason interview, GM Mickey Loomis praised Carr and insinuated he would be the plan for the Saints starting QB this season. 

But over the last month, the Saints saga with Carr has taken a wild twist. In early April, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Carr is struggling with a shoulder injury that could sideline him for the entire 2025 season. 

Speculation began to ramp up after Carr remained silent about the injury, but in a church service over the weekend the Saints QB finally confirmed the report. 

"I have an MRI report to prove it," Carr said. "The team knows about it. We've been in constant communication. There's nothing wrong. We're figuring it out, and we're going to go forward with that. Is that OK?"

It’s no surprise the New Orleans Saints drafted a quarterback last weekend, but many were surprised when they chose Louisville QB Tyler Shough in the second round with Shedeur Sanders still on the board. 

After noting the Saints needed a QB and opted to choose Shough, Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski of the B/R Scouting Department had a strong take to New Orleans passing over Sanders for the Louisville QB. 

“Shough suffered multiple injuries during his seven-year, three-program college career, including a broken collarbone and a broken fibula. He also had just one season of truly impressive production, whereas Sanders consistently performed well at both Jackson State and Colorado. Brent Sobleski of the B/R Scouting Department—who gave the Saints a "D" grade for the Shough selection—believes that drafting Sanders would have been a safer move. 'Passing on Shedeur Sanders for an older, injury-plagued quarterback with only one year of production is a draft travesty,' Sobleski wrote."