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The New Orleans Saints seem to be playing a curious game of quarterback chess this offseason. They’ve been linked to several top QB prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft while simultaneously dealing with an unexpected Derek Carr shoulder injury situation that has everyone scratching their heads.
Just a week after Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the Saints might draft a quarterback, Carr suddenly began “weighing options” — including possible surgery — for a shoulder issue. The timing? Let’s call it suspicious. Carr’s still under contract through 2026, and this injury revelation comes precisely when the team is openly shopping for his replacement.
Making matters more bizarre, ESPN’s Katherine Terrell reports that some assistant coaches within the organization had no clue about Carr’s shoulder problems until the news broke publicly.
Mystery Surrounds Carr’s Shoulder Situation
How does a starting quarterback develop a potentially season-threatening injury without the coaching staff knowing? That’s the million-dollar question in New Orleans right now.
According to Terrell, it remains “unknown” exactly when the Saints learned about Carr’s condition. She adds that the severity of the injury is still “unclear at this point” — which only fuels more speculation.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini offers a contradictory perspective, reporting that “the injury was not a surprise to either the Saints or the 11-year veteran.” So the team knew? But the coaches didn’t? Something doesn’t add up here.
Is this real?
While surgery discussions suggest there’s a legitimate medical issue, the secrecy and timing raise eyebrows across the league. The four-time Pro Bowler might genuinely be injured, but the circumstances surrounding the revelation feel orchestrated — especially with the Saints’ very public quarterback hunt happening simultaneously.
New Orleans isn’t being subtle about exploring their QB options. They’ve met with Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders (they’re currently betting favorites to select him), conducted a private workout with Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, and hosted Texas’ Quinn Ewers and Louisville’s Tyler Shough for top-30 visits. They’ve even touched base with Ole Miss standout Jaxson Dart and Miami’s Cam Ward (widely expected to go first overall).
The Saints aren’t just dipping their toes in the quarterback waters — they’re diving in headfirst. Meanwhile, their current starter is suddenly contemplating shoulder surgery that nobody seemed to know about until draft season heated up.
Whatever’s happening between Carr and the Saints, this situation has all the makings of an uncomfortable standoff that won’t be resolved anytime soon. For fans watching this unfold, it feels like we’re witnessing the early stages of a messy divorce playing out in real time.
