Derek Carr’s unexpected retirement announcement on May 10, 2025, leaves the New Orleans Saints with a three-way quarterback battle between rookie Tyler Shough, second-year Spencer Rattler, and third-year Jake Haener.
Shough, a promising second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is expected to lead the offense. If he fails, the Saints become a strong contender for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft. That would be interesting as it could lead to a high-stakes decision between top QB prospects Arch Manning and Garrett Nussmeier.
Saints’ Arch Manning Plan Faces a Twist with Garrett Nussmeier Emerging
Following Carr’s retirement announcement, one name has Saints fans dreaming big: Arch. They’re hoping the hometown hero becomes the new face of the franchise.
But there’s another name in the mix: Garrett. Some fans and analysts believe he has an edge thanks to a powerful connection: his father, Doug Nussmeier, the Saints’ offensive coordinator.
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“They might have a tougher family dilemma in the form of Garrett Nussmeier. He is the quarterback of LSU, considered to be a potential top ten pick in the draft. They just hired his father to be the offensive coordinator. We’ve never had a dad call plays for his son in the NFL,” The Breakfast Ball on FS1 analyst Danny Parkins said.
“…Imagine you’re Nussmeier, the Saints have the 1st-round pick in the draft, you’re a top-two pick, and your dad drafts Arch Manning.”
Arch, the grandson of Saints legend Archie Manning, carries a deep New Orleans legacy. He’s a native of the city and a product of Isidore Newman School, which produced his uncles, Peyton and Eli. Arch represents a potential full-circle moment for the franchise. Archie remains the last quarterback the Saints selected in the first round, back in 1971.
However, many around the league believe Arch, like his uncles, will stay in college for four years, making him eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft rather than 2026. With just two career starts and lucrative NIL deals, there’s no rush for him to go to the pros. Still, the idea of suiting up for his hometown Saints could be tough for the Manning family to pass up if the timing is right.
But there’s another twist: Saints offensive coordinator Doug may greatly influence the team’s next quarterback, and his son, Garrett, is already a serious contender.
Projected as a top 10 pick in early mock drafts, Garrett had a standout 2024 season at LSU, leading the SEC in completions and attempts while throwing for 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his first year, replacing Jayden Daniels. He could’ve declared for the 2025 draft but opted to return to LSU to boost his stock even further.
KEEP READING: Arch Manning Stuns While Carson Beck Slides in Bold 2026 NFL Draft QB Rankings
In the battle for the Saints’ future, legacy and loyalty could collide, and either way, the storyline is primed for drama.
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