Much has been made about the New Orleans Saints' quarterback room recently, with debates swirling around both their current leader and their future plans. The team's quarterback position seems to sit at a crossroads, combining a mixture of talent, uncertainty, and potential.
Derek Carr is undoubtedly "the guy" for 2025, barring any shocking turn of events. As a four-time Pro Bowler, his talent is indisputable, and when he's healthy, he has the skills to steer the Saints to the playoffs. However, his health has been a persistent question mark during his time in New Orleans. This is a significant factor fueling the ongoing discussions around his role and long-term future with the team. It’s clear that the Saints are placing their bets on Carr to lead them through the upcoming season, but beyond that, things become less certain. The elephant in the room is his substantial cap hit, scheduled to soar to over $69 million in 2025. While the team demonstrated this offseason their ability to creatively restructure contracts, it’s hard to imagine Carr playing on a deal with such a massive hit in 2026. Whether that’s resolved through further restructuring or other means remains to be seen.
Behind Carr, Spencer Rattler currently holds the backup position, but the Saints’ quarterback future has been heavily tied to the upcoming NFL Draft. New Orleans has reportedly been linked to potential prospects like Jaxson Dart and Shedeur Sanders. However, according to NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, neither of these players is projected to land with the Saints. Instead, Reuter predicts the team will select Ohio State quarterback Will Howard in the fourth round of the draft. This could be an exciting direction for the Saints to explore. Howard had an impressive 2024 season, throwing for over 4,000 yards and racking up 35 touchdowns. He presents an intriguing combination of skill and potential, making him an excellent candidate for development. Drafting a player like Howard would allow the Saints to bring in a new prospect and give him time to learn and adapt to the NFL, potentially sitting for at least a year under Carr's mentorship.
Meanwhile, looking ahead to 2026, the conversation may shift to another tantalizing quarterback prospect: Arch Manning. The Texas standout is widely anticipated to be the most talked-about quarterback in next year’s draft. Adding a player of Manning’s caliber would undoubtedly excite Saints fans. However, acquiring him would likely require the No. 1 pick, which may be out of reach unless the Saints’ 2025 season unexpectedly collapses. If the team opts to pursue a quarterback like Sanders in this year’s draft, it would almost certainly take them out of the running for Manning, creating an additional layer of strategy and decision-making.
Drafting Will Howard represents a potential middle-ground approach. It allows the Saints to evaluate his capabilities during a developmental year without fully committing to him as their long-term starter. This strategy would keep their future options open and offer the flexibility to pivot toward a player like Manning if circumstances align. Overall, the Saints’ quarterback room is not just a topic of immediate interest but a focal point for the team's strategy in the years to come. Their decisions in 2025 and beyond will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
