The New Orleans Saints kicked off their offseason with a surprise, as quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement due to ongoing shoulder issues. Left without a proven starter, the team was forced to pivot. Still, the Saints remained patient during the 2025 NFL Draft, passing on a quarterback in the first round and ultimately selecting Louisville product Tyler Shough in the second.
With no real quarterback competition from Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, there is a good chance Shough is thrown to the wolves from the get-go. Unfortunately, one analyst doesn’t think the experiment will work. And if Shough can’t swim with the sharks, as he predicts, then a new top-flight quarterback might be coming to Louisiana.
Will the New Orleans Saints Reset Their Quarterback Timeline?
Since Drew Brees’s final years, the Saints have tried to delay a complete rebuild by focusing on short-term solutions. But that approach hasn’t delivered the results they hoped for. Now, with Carr’s retirement, a genuine reset opportunity has finally emerged.
If the Saints fail to field a competitive team in 2025, there’s at least a silver lining: the chance to land a top quarterback in what’s shaping up to be a loaded 2026 NFL Draft class. CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson seems to agree, projecting New Orleans to finish with the league’s worst record and land the No. 1 overall pick in his latest mock draft.
With the first overall pick, though, Wilson has a surprising choice in Garrett Nussmeier from LSU. Following the success Jayden Daniels had with the Tigers and then with the Washington Commanders, it is a logical connection to assume Nussmeier will also shine.
However, the two quarterbacks bring very different skill sets to the table. Nussmeier is a traditional pocket passer with limited mobility, but he impressed in his first year as a starter, throwing for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns, bringing his career total to 40.
#LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier (6-2, 200)
In-rhythm passer with clean footwork. Flexible arm to make standout completions. Confidently throws to spots with fearless anticipation. pic.twitter.com/JeaY6x7Yib
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) May 16, 2025
A significant concern was the 12 interceptions, which is a relatively high number for the collegiate level. However, for Wilson, there is a different LSU alum that Nussmeier best represents, Joe Burrow.
Calling him a “grizzled NFL veteran,” he acknowledged his limitations. However, his insistence was evident when Wilson added, “If Nussmeier can limit the poor decisions and untimely turnovers, he’ll have a great chance to be the No. 1 overall pick.”
Not everyone is as high on the LSU product as Wilson.
The latest mock draft from PFSN, courtesy of Max Dorsey, has him dropping to pick No. 19 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who can begin to prepare for life after Aaron Rodgers, immediately or in a Jordan Love-type situation.
For the Saints, though, Dorsey seems higher on Shough than others. Predicting that New Orleans will end up with the third overall pick, he believes they will try to strengthen the roster around their quarterback instead of adding a new one.
In that scenario, his pick at number three is the best player available at that spot: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Dorsey called him “the best defensive player in the country,” and it was his versatility against both the pass and the run that drew him to Downs.
Ultimately, the decision will come down to how the Saints evaluate their rookie quarterback after his first season. If he doesn’t show promise as a viable starter, New Orleans shouldn’t hesitate to hit the reset button on their timeline.
