After 11 NFL seasons, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement. Carr has been dealing with a shoulder injury throughout this offseason, and rather than getting surgery and missing the entire 2025 season, Carr chose to call it a career.

The Saints took Shough as the third quarterback off the board in the 2025 NFL draft, behind only No. 1 pick Cam Ward by the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants first-round pick Jaxson Dart. The Saints were in need of a quarterback with the uncertainty surrounding Carr's health.

Haener's lone start in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders was a disaster, to the point he got benched at halftime in favor of Rattler. The 26-year-old went 4-of-10 with 49 yards, no touchdowns and one interception prior to being replaced.