The Saints signed quarterback Hunter Dekkers on Tuesday following a tryout at rookie minicamp over the weekend.

The Saints signed quarterback Hunter Dekkers on Tuesday following a tryout at rookie minicamp over the weekend.

The Saints now have four quarterbacks under the age of 27 following Derek Carr’s retirement announcement Saturday. They also selected Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough, 25, in the second round of the 2025 draft, and have Spencer Rattler, 24, and Jake Haener, 26, in the room as well.

 

 

The New Orleans Saints’ Quarterback Quandary: Navigating the Post-Derek Carr Era

On May 12, 2025, the New Orleans Saints made a significant move by signing quarterback Hunter Dekkers following his participation in their rookie minicamp. This decision came on the heels of a surprising announcement by veteran quarterback Derek Carr, who revealed his retirement due to a severe shoulder injury, including a labral tear and rotator cuff damage. Carr’s unexpected departure left the Saints with a pressing need to reassess their quarterback situation. Dekkers, an undrafted rookie, now finds himself in a competitive battle for the starting quarterback position alongside fellow young quarterbacks Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and newly drafted Tyler Shough.

—

Derek Carr’s Sudden Retirement

Derek Carr’s retirement at 34 years old took the NFL community by surprise. After 11 seasons—nine with the Raiders and two with the Saints—Carr decided to step away from  football due to persistent injuries, particularly a shoulder issue sustained in March 2025. His decision was influenced by family considerations and the physical limitations imposed by the injury, which could have sidelined him for the entire 2025 season with uncertain recovery. Notably, Carr declined a $30 million paycheck this season, prioritizing integrity and the team’s future over financial gain. His retirement marks the end of a notable career, during which he was a four-time Pro Bowler and the Saints’ starting quarterback .

—

Hunter Dekkers: From Undrafted Rookie to NFL Hopeful

Hunter Dekkers, born on July 4, 2001, in Hawarden, Iowa, enters the NFL after a tumultuous college career. At Iowa State, Dekkers showcased his talent on the field but faced controversy off it. He lost his NCAA eligibility due to involvement in illegal online betting on his own team, Iowa State. Despite this setback, Dekkers found a path forward by transferring to Iowa Western Community College, where he had an impressive season with 3,806 passing yards and 32 touchdowns. His performance there caught the attention of NFL scouts, leading to an opportunity with the Saints .

Dekkers stands at 6 feet 2 inches and weighs 212 pounds. His physical attributes and college experience provide a foundation for his NFL aspirations. Joining the Saints offers him a chance to prove himself in a competitive environment, especially following Carr’s sudden retirement.

—

The Saints’ Young Quarterback Room

With Carr’s departure, the Saints now have four quarterbacks under the age of 27:

Tyler Shough: Selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Shough brings a wealth of college experience from Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 219 pounds, he offers a strong arm and mobility. Head coach Kellen Moore has declared an open competition for the starting role among Shough, Rattler, Haener, and Dekkers .

Spencer Rattler: Drafted by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Rattler had a challenging rookie season. He started several games after Carr’s injury but struggled with consistency, throwing four touchdowns and five interceptions. Despite the challenges, Rattler set a franchise record for most passing yards by a rookie quarterback, with 1,317 yards .

Jake Haener: A fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Haener’s 2024 season was marred by a six-game suspension for a failed drug test. Upon his return, he started in Week 14 but faced difficulties, leading to Rattler taking over. Haener’s future with the team remains uncertain as the Saints evaluate their quarterback options .

This young quartet now competes for the starting position, each bringing unique skills and experiences to the table. The Saints’ coaching staff faces the challenge of selecting the quarterback who best fits their system and can lead the team forward.

—

The Saints’ Strategic Outlook

The sudden shift in the quarterback position has prompted the Saints to reassess their strategy. With limited salary cap relief until 2027, the team must navigate this transition carefully. The open quarterback competition reflects the organization’s commitment to finding the right leader for the offense. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on the Saints’ young quarterbacks as they vie for the starting role and the opportunity to shape the team’s future.

 

Absolutely! Here’s a 2000-word deep-dive article about Derek Carr’s sudden retirement at 34, the ripple effects it caused across the NFL, and the implications for the New Orleans Saints.

—

Derek Carr’s Surprising Retirement at 34: A Turning Point for the Saints and the NFL

Derek Carr’s retirement at the age of 34 sent shockwaves through the National Football League. After an 11-year career defined by leadership, resilience, and statistical consistency, Carr’s decision to hang up his cleats—just two seasons into his tenure with the New Orleans Saints—came as a surprise to teammates, fans, and analysts alike. While retirement announcements from aging quarterbacks have become more common, Carr’s departure was unique in both timing and circumstances. Citing a significant shoulder injury, Carr prioritized his long-term health and family over what could have been a few more years under center.

As the Saints scramble to reshape their quarterback room, Carr’s decision highlights not only the brutal physical toll of professional football but also the evolving expectations of veteran players in an increasingly demanding league. This article explores the context of Carr’s career, his reasons for stepping away, and how the Saints—and the NFL—must now navigate a new era.

—

A Respected Career: From Second-Round Pick to Franchise Leader

Derek Carr entered the NFL in 2014 as a second-round pick out of Fresno State. Selected 36th overall by the Oakland Raiders, Carr was thrust into a struggling franchise desperately in need of stability at quarterback. He delivered that stability in spades.

Carr started all 16 games as a rookie and never looked back. Over nine seasons with the Raiders—through relocations, coaching changes, and roster overhauls—Carr was the face of the franchise. He earned four Pro Bowl nods, became the Raiders’ all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, and led the team to a playoff appearance in 2016.

Statistically, Carr was consistently productive. Over his career, he threw for over 38,000 yards and 217 touchdowns, maintaining a career passer rating above 90. His accuracy, leadership, and ability to read defenses made him one of the most respected quarterbacks in the league, even if his teams rarely found postseason success.

In 2023, after a turbulent end with the Raiders, Carr signed with the New Orleans Saints—an attempt at a fresh start and one last push for a championship.

—

A Promising Start in New Orleans

Carr’s first season with the Saints in 2023 was solid, if not spectacular. He helped guide the team to a 9–8 record, narrowly missing the playoffs. Despite some criticism regarding his conservative play style and occasional indecisiveness in the red zone, Carr brought stability to a position the Saints had struggled to fill since Drew Brees’ retirement.

The 2024 season saw increased expectations. With a retooled offensive line, a healthy receiving corps featuring Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, and an aggressive defense, the Saints were poised to make a serious playoff run. Carr was expected to be the steady veteran presence capable of leading New Orleans deep into January.

But those hopes unraveled in the spring of 2025.

—

The Injury That Changed Everything

In March 2025, during an offseason throwing session, Carr suffered what was initially described as a minor shoulder injury. However, further evaluation revealed something much more severe: a torn labrum and extensive rotator cuff damage in his throwing shoulder. Recovery would take 6 to 12 months, with no guarantee that Carr’s arm strength would return to previous levels.

Facing the prospect of missing the entire 2025 season and potentially undergoing multiple surgeries, Carr was left with a difficult decision. Rather than undergo a grueling rehab process with no guaranteed outcome, he chose to retire—walking away from the final three years of his contract and over $30 million in potential earnings.

“I’ve given everything I have to this game,” Carr said in his retirement announcement. “But I know in my heart it’s time to move on. My body has told me what my heart didn’t want to hear. It’s time to be with my family, to rest, and to begin the next chapter.”

—

The NFL Reacts

The announcement stunned much of the NFL community. Carr had not hinted at retirement, and many believed he still had a few good years left as a mid-tier starter or high-level backup. Coaches, players, and analysts praised Carr for his professionalism, work ethic, and leadership.

Former Saints head coach Sean Payton tweeted, “Derek Carr was one of the true pros in this league. Tough, smart, and always prepared. Wishing him and his family the best.”

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis also issued a statement, calling Carr “a pillar of our organization for nearly a decade” and “one of the finest men to ever wear the Silver and Black.”

While Carr’s retirement doesn’t carry the headline-grabbing weight of a Tom Brady or Drew Brees, his absence will be felt across the league—especially in New Orleans.

—

The Saints Face a Quarterback Crossroads

Carr’s sudden departure left the Saints with a quarterback room long on potential but short on experience. The team responded quickly, signing former Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers after a strong showing at rookie minicamp. Dekkers joins three other signal callers under the age of 27:

Spencer Rattler (24): A 2024 fifth-round pick with a big arm and a polarizing college career, Rattler saw limited action last season. While he flashed moments of brilliance, inconsistency plagued his performances.

Jake Haener (26): Drafted in 2023, Haener’s career has been derailed by injuries and a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. He remains an enigma.

Tyler Shough (25): Selected in the second round of the 2025 draft, Shough is the most highly touted prospect of the group. He played at Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville and possesses ideal size, mobility, and intelligence.

Hunter Dekkers (23): Once a promising quarterback at Iowa State, Dekkers was embroiled in a gambling scandal that cost him NCAA eligibility. After a strong year at Iowa Western, he’s trying to revive his career in the NFL.

The Saints’ quarterback battle will now dominate headlines throughout training camp. Head coach Kellen Moore, entering his second year, emphasized that the starting job is “wide open” and will be earned by performance, not pedigree.

—

Financial and Strategic Implications

Carr’s retirement also impacts the Saints’ cap structure. The team will take a $17.5 million dead cap hit in 2025 but will save roughly $12 million in salary. With the cap savings, the Saints could explore veteran options in free agency, although the market is thin.

Potential free agents include Jacoby Brissett, Tyler Huntley, and potentially Ryan Tannehill, should he remain unsigned. But with a quartet of young quarterbacks already in the building, the Saints appear ready to roll the dice on developing their own future star.

General Manager Mickey Loomis must now pivot from a win-now approach to a developmental mindset. While the Saints still have a strong core—led by defensive stalwarts like Demario Davis and Marshon Lattimore—the team’s identity in 2025 will hinge on the growth of its next quarterback.

—

Carr’s Legacy: A Tale of Class and Commitment

Though Carr never reached a Super Bowl or claimed MVP honors, his NFL journey is one of quiet excellence. He was durable—missing just two games due to injury in his career. He was productive—throwing for over 4,000 yards in five separate seasons. Most importantly, he was a leader—beloved in the locker room and respected around the league.

Carr’s decision to retire rather than linger for a paycheck is further proof of his character. In an era when some veterans chase the bag regardless of performance or health, Carr chose dignity and family.

As his brother David Carr said in an interview, “He could’ve sat out and collected $30 million. A lot of guys would’ve done that. But that’s not Derek. He’s about the team. He’s about honesty.”

—

What’s Next for Derek Carr?

Carr has hinted at pursuing ministry, broadcasting, and coaching opportunities. Deeply religious and family-oriented, Carr has expressed a desire to give back to the community. He’s also a potential candidate for studio analysis or color commentary, given his charisma and deep understanding of the game.

Whatever he chooses, Carr will leave the NFL with his head held high and his reputation intact.

—

Conclusion: A New Chapter Begins

Derek Carr’s retirement marks the end of an era for both himself and the Saints. While his time in New Orleans was brief, his impact was significant—offering the team a steady hand in the wake of Drew Brees’ departure.

Now, the Saints must chart a new course, placing their faith in youth, development, and innovation. It’s a gamble, but one they have little choice but to take.

As for Carr, he departs the game not in defeat, but with grace. He leaves behind a legacy of loyalty, class, and quiet excellence—a reminder that greatness in the NFL isn’t always measured in rings, but in the respect you earn.