New Orleans Saints Restructure Roster Following Derek Carr’s Retirement
The New Orleans Saints made a flurry of personnel moves on Monday. The moves came on the heels of the team’s rookie minicamp over the weekend.
On Monday afternoon, Nick Underhill of neworleans.football was the first to report that the Saints had signed veteran wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones. Later in the afternoon, Underhill and neworleans.football went on to report that New Orleans added two more players.
After a tryout with the team over the weekend, the Saints are signing veteran safety Terrell Burgess. Pending the results of a physical, according to Mike Triplett of neworleans.football, New Orleans also intends on signing undrafted rookies quarterback Hunter Dekkers out of Iowa State.
In the wake of quarterback Derek Carr’s retirement, the New Orleans Saints have made strategic roster adjustments to reinforce their team for the upcoming NFL season. The organization announced the signings of safety Terrell Burgess and wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, aiming to bolster both their defensive and offensive units.
Derek Carr’s Retirement and Its Implications
Derek Carr, who joined the Saints in 2023 after nine seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, announced his retirement due to a significant right shoulder injury that would have required surgery and potentially sidelined him for the entire 2025 season . Carr’s departure leaves a void in the quarterback position, prompting the Saints to evaluate their options moving forward.
Signings to Strengthen the Roster
Terrell Burgess – Safety
Terrell Burgess, a former third-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, brings versatility and experience to the Saints’ secondary. Having spent time with the Rams, New York Giants, and Buffalo Bills, Burgess is known for his adaptability in various defensive schemes. His addition is expected to provide depth and competition in the safety position, enhancing the team’s defensive capabilities .
Donovan Peoples-Jones – Wide Receiver
Donovan Peoples-Jones, a sixth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2020, has shown promise as a reliable wide receiver. After stints with the Browns and Detroit Lions, he joins the Saints on a one-year deal following a successful tryout during the team’s rookie minicamp . At 6-foot-2, Peoples-Jones offers a physical presence and contested catch ability, attributes that the Saints’ receiving corps has been seeking.
Quarterback Position Moving Forward
With Carr’s retirement, the Saints are set to evaluate their current quarterback roster, which includes Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener. Head Coach Kellen Moore has indicated that all three quarterbacks will have the opportunity to compete for the starting role during training camp . Shough, a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, expressed readiness to embrace the competition and contribute to the team’s success
Conclusion
The New Orleans Saints are proactively addressing the challenges posed by Derek Carr’s retirement by reinforcing their roster with experienced players like Terrell Burgess and Donovan Peoples-Jones. These strategic signings, coupled with an open quarterback competition, demonstrate the organization’s commitment to building a competitive team for the upcoming season.
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