Tyler Shough after Derek Carr retirement: 'I've got to continue to grow'

Tyler Shough just wants an opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback job with the New Orleans Saints. Well, he’s got one now in light of Derek Carr’s retirement.

Shough, a second round pick out of Louisville, will compete with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener for the starting job this season. Granted, if the Saints sign or trade for a veteran in Kellen Moore’s season just for experience, perhaps it won’t be shocking.

But Moore is going to let the three battle it out for now. Shough is in prime position to start right away after a journey of a college career.

“That’s all you can ask for is an opportunity, at any position,” Shough said, via the team’s website. “And I’m going to treat it the same way, as if whoever is on the roster, I’ve got to continue to grow and get better and do my best to elevate the QB room and the team. For me, I was going to come in regardless of him being here or not and try and continue to grow.

“I think he’s been such a high-level player for so long, I think it would be a great opportunity to learn from him. It’s also a great opportunity to grow myself and be on this team with a lot of great coaches and guys on the team that we have already. I’m just excited for what’s (next) and the rest of our offseason.”

Shough will have plenty of opportunities since every quarterback is basically unproven. It’s practically a clean slate for the Saints.

“I think for me it’s just going through the same process for minicamp, trying to learn the playbook and get to know my teammates as much as I can and do everything I can to continue to get better,” Shough said. “(Coach) Kellen (Moore) told me this morning (about Carr’s retirement) and that was the extent of it, and we went out to practice and had a lot of fun.”

Shough played seven years of college football, starting at Oregon in 2018 as a backup to Justin Herbert before three years at Texas Tech from 2021-24. However, he flourished at Louisville in 2024, throwing for 3,195 yards and 23 touchdowns, along with six interceptions, to become one of the more interesting quarterback prospects in the draft. At age 25, he’s a year older than Rattler.

Carr’s retirement came amid questions about a shoulder injury. Ultimately, doctors told him it could require surgery, and the Saints announced he opted to retire rather than risk missing the entire 2025 campaign.

Carr signed a four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints ahead of the 2023 season and put up impressive numbers after leaving the Las Vegas Raiders. He threw for 3,878 yards and 25 touchdowns in 17 games as New Orleans finished 9-8. However, injuries got in the way of his 2024 campaign as he totaled 2,145 yards and 15 touchdowns.