Might the Saints be working out a deal with the Commanders soon?
News broke Friday that New Orleans Saints starting quarterback Derek Carr is experiencing a setback with his throwing shoulder. That is not good news for an NFL team relying on the 11-year veteran to lead the offense in 2025.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday that Carr is struggling to the degree that he is considering surgery and might not be available for the 2025 NFL season.
The #Saints suddenly have a major QB question: Starter Derek Carr is now dealing with a shoulder injury that threatens his availability for this season, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 11, 2025
Carr is weighing options, including the possibility of surgery. pic.twitter.com/QNdc9ipE8P
First, who are the quarterbacks currently with the Saints? There are four quarterbacks with the Saints, and the only one who has been dependable thus far is Carr. Carr has nine years of experience leading the Raiders and two leading the Saints. If he is not able to recover in time for the season, his experience will be dearly missed in New Orleans this year.
Ben DiNucci, who played college ball at Pittsburgh and James Madison, is 28 years old, but he hasn't seen any action in an NFL game since he appeared in three games for the Cowboys way back in the 2020 season. Dak Prescott was injured and lost both games to the Washington Football Team. The Washington fan base got excited because the "Football Team" finished atop the NFC East, forgetting that the team had only won seven games.
Jake Haener? Now, there is a name that Commanders fans will easily recall from last season. Haener was horrible against the Commanders in the game in New Orleans. So at halftime, the Saints turned to Spencer Rattler and were within one two-point conversion of defeating Washington. The Saints drafted Rattler in the 2024 draft, 150th overall. Rattler started six games last season, and the Saints were 0-6 in those games, as the rookie could only generate a passer rating of 70.4 and a QBR of 40.3.
If Carr can't play in 2025, the Saints need a veteran quickly. Might they go after Aaron Rodgers as a one-year plug-in? Rodgers can still play, and the Saints might be interested, but do we know if Rodgers wants to play in New Orleans?
If the Saints are unable to get Rodgers, would they make an offer to the Commanders for Marcus Mariota? Mariota displayed last season that he can still play. He made several big plays in the win over the Panthers. In addition, Mariota frankly rescued the Commanders from an embarrassing offensive performance in the season finale against the Cowboys.
The Commanders trailed the Cowboys 6-3, and honestly, Jayden Daniels and the offense stunk up the first half. Mariota rescued the team with drives of 70, 70, and 91 yards, including the game-winning touchdown to Terry McLaurin with three seconds remaining, pulling out a 23-19 victory in Dallas. How good was Mariota in that second half in Dallas? He completed 15 of his 18 passing attempts for 161 yards, two passing touchdowns, and no interceptions for a passer rating of 141.0. Remember Mariota's magnificent 33-yard run on the final drive, which also led to the winning touchdown. Did I mention all three of those lengthy second-half drives were touchdown drives ...