The Los Angeles Rams are thinking ahead when it comes to their quarterback situation, eyeing a long-term successor to Matthew Stafford. But for now, they’re confident in their current setup with Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Stetson Bennett going into 2025.
However, not all teams are feeling so secure. The New Orleans Saints, one of the Rams’ 2025 opponents, just received surprising and significant news. Heading into the draft, the Saints were already unsure about their quarterback depth. Derek Carr had been dealing with a shoulder injury that raised concerns he might miss the entire 2025 season. While they had Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler on the roster, they still used a draft pick to bring in rookie QB Tyler Shough—who had also been considered by the Rams.
The Saints anticipated either a return or recovery for Carr, but instead, he’s taken an unexpected route: retiring from the NFL rather than undergoing surgery to repair his shoulder. This sudden decision leaves New Orleans facing a major shift at the quarterback position for the upcoming season.
The Saints’ current quarterback group seems to consist of three players better suited for backup roles in 2025 rather than being legitimate starting options.
So why is this significant on a Rams-focused platform?
Because the Rams will face the Saints at SoFi Stadium in 2025, and with Derek Carr likely out, that matchup now seems more favorable for Los Angeles.
Beyond that, the Rams have a vested interest in how the NFC South shakes out. After trading the 26th overall pick to the Falcons in exchange for Atlanta’s 2026 first-rounder, the Rams are rooting for the Saints, Panthers, and Buccaneers to hand the Falcons losses in divisional games. Atlanta went 4-2 in the NFC South last season, with losses to New Orleans and Carolina.
Right now, though, the Saints don’t appear to be strong contenders within the division, which could hurt the Rams’ chances of receiving a high draft pick from Atlanta in 2026.
Currently, only two veteran quarterbacks could significantly improve the Saints’ outlook. One is free agent Aaron Rodgers, who many believe will sign with Pittsburgh. The other is Kirk Cousins, under contract with the Falcons—who are unlikely to trade him to a division rival.
So, while the Rams may have a good chance of beating New Orleans during the season, the Saints’ struggles might actually hinder Los Angeles in the long run if Atlanta ends up performing well as a result.