NFL insider signals potential season-long absence for Saints' Derek Carr in 2025

Derek Carr has been dealing with a shoulder injury lately, but speculation still abounds about whether he will play in the 2025 season. And Ian Rapoport has some more insight into the matter.

Speaking on Thursday's episode of Pat McAfee's eponymous show, the NFL Network insider said:

"I believe Derek Carr would like to not have surgery. I believe he would like to rehab, get this thing right, get back on the field for week one... if he has surgery, it's major, potentially not playing next season. Like, that's what nobody wants. So I believe he is doing what he can now to try to get back on the field of week one, and we will see where it ends up."

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His colleague Jane Slater also had her own insight into the situation, writing on her social media account:

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Meanwhile, Sayre Bedinger, a columnist for the FanSided vertical NFL Spin Zone, credits this uncertainty with why he ranks the Saints dead last in the NFC South in his quarterback power rankings:

"I would guess that we’re going to see Tyler Shough as the primary starter this coming season for the Saints, but things are a bit of a mess right now at this position in New Orleans."

Tyler Shough predicted to contend for Offensive Rookie of the Year amidst Derek Carr uncertainty

Speaking of Tyler Shough, all is still not lost for the Saints, should Derek Carr prove unable to play in the 2025 season. Besides the rookie quarterback, they have a new head coach in Kellen Moore, the Philadelphia Eagles' former Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator.

And CBS's Tyler Sullivan predicts that the combination of Shough's vast collegiate experience and Moore's penchant for developing young, burgeoning quarterbacks will mesh well enough to create a frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He writes:

"The Louisville quarterback finds himself in a favorable spot to put up numbers during his rookie season... New Orleans will likely be trailing a lot in 2025, further setting the stage for some inflated stats from Shough; and quarterbacks have won this award in four of the last six seasons."

The Saints began their rookie minicamp today, and it will last until Sunday, May 11.

About the author

Andre Castillo is an NFL journalist at Sportskeeda who holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Master’s degree in Journalism. He has over seven years of working experience and has also covered MMA with FanSided, wrestling with The Sportster, and automobiles with Hot Cars.

Andre follows the New York Jets and the Washington Commanders, mostly because he likes their colors. His favorite position is tight end, and players like Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce have always drawn Andre's attention when watching a game. Bill Belichick is his favorite coach, and his all-time favorite Super Bowl is the XLII edition, when the underdog New York Giants upset the then-undefeated New England Patriots.

If he can change one moment in NFL history, it will be from the NFC Championship Game in January 2019. In that game, a highly controversial no-call cost the Saints what would have been Drew Brees' second Super Bowl visit, where he would have faced Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Andre is always on the lookout for fresh perspectives in a story and ensures complete factual accuracy by double-checking all information before using it in his articles. He has an innate understanding of how to present information in an efficient and compelling way.

Outside the writing realm, Andre is a professional licensed teacher. His hobbies include watching UFC, MotoGP, playing the piano, and travelling.

Know More

New Orleans Saints Nation! Check out the latest Saints Schedule and dive into the New Orleans Saints Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

Edited by Andre Castillo