“That’s Why I’ll Question the Draft Again”: Chad Johnson and Shannon Sharpe Get Real as Kellen Moore Plans to ‘Rotate’ their QBs

Now that Derek Carr has announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 years, the New Orleans Saints’ starting quarterback job is officially up for grabs. Since the start of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Saints have selected at least one quarterback from each of the draft classes.

As a result, Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler, and Tyler Shough now fill the depth chart. Given that all three signal callers are still green, their new head coach, Kellen Moore, has suggested that each of them will receive a fair opportunity at claiming the honor of being his QB1.

Moore’s decision to take a carousel-like approach to his QB depth chart has made Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson and Shannon Sharpe fear for the worst in New Orleans. That apprehension also stems from the quality in their quarterback room, and how the Saints’ approach in this year’s draft may have made it worse for the team.

After reading a report that stated the Saints’ newest passer, Shough, can produce “solid performances when kept clean“, Sharpe promptly said: “All quarterbacks are good when you keep them clean. My house is immaculate when it’s clean. Duh!”

After Sharpe mentioned that Shough had the second-worst QB accuracy against power five opponents of anyone in his class, Johnson couldn’t help but question the team’s decision-making in this year’s draft.

Saints HC Kellen Moore said they will rotate all their quarterbacks, give them all opportunities, as one tries to seize the starting job. “We’re going to let all three of these guys roll,” Moore said. Each will be given the chance to win the Saints’ starting job. pic.twitter.com/eSW3H49JcU

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 10, 2025

 

Seeing as Shough wasn’t necessarily considered to be a “value pick” by the Saints at the 40th overall spot, Johnson suggested that the team’s poor offensive line play could result in further problems. This is regardless of who is taking snaps under center.

“That’s why I question the draft again. You take those same numbers that you just talked about, and I’m not going to say his name, but you know who I’m talking about, and you look at what he had to deal with because his offensive line play wasn’t that good, but for some reason, he was highly accurate still. That’s funny how that works, but that’s neither here nor there,” said Johnson.

The trio of Haener, Rattler, and Shough may not jump off the page, but it is filled with potential. Pockets of the Saints’ fanbase have already started to advocate for one over the other. However, almost no one seems to be interested in Haener.

It’s also worth noting that, given the uninspiring level of the prospects, the Saints are rumored to have an interest in Aaron Rodgers. Then again, given the team’s perpetual salary cap situation, signing another expensive, free-agent quarterback doesn’t seem to be in the cards for them at this point.

As things stand now, fans will probably find it easier to predict the next Powerball numbers rather than the team’s next starter.

They are unlikely to end up with as big of a mess as the Cleveland Browns appear to have by rostering five signal callers in total. But the search for the Saints’ next leader will surely extend past 2025.

Until someone is able to separate themself from the crowd and establish some rapport with Moore, the trombones and beads will have to stay in the closet. Simply put, it’s going to be a while before the Saints can go marching.