Who Should I Start? Derek Carr or Joe Burrow

Friday, June 6, 12:23 PM

Former New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) made a surprising decision to hang up his cleats and retire from the NFL this offseason. "That part was tough because I didn't want to have surgery and just sit there and it sounds crazy but just take the Saints money," Carr said. He had two seasons left on the four-year, $150 million deal he signed with the Saints in 2023, although he gave up the $30 million salary he was set to earn in 2025. The four-time Pro Bowler was dealing with a right-shoulder injury that was going to require surgery and leave his availability uncertain for the start of the regular season this fall. Carr said the Saints wanted him to keep playing, but he couldn't commit to another season. With Carr now gone, the Saints will have a QB competition this summer, primarily between rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler.

Wednesday, August 20, 3:31 PM

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that the team's starters will not play in the preseason finale on Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts. Burrow and the high-octane Bengals offense looked just fine in the first two preseason games, with Burrow throwing for three touchdowns on five of his drives. The offense got off to a slow start early last year before finally clicking and being one of the most dangerous units by year's end. It looks like the 28-year-old signal-caller and Cincy's offense could already be in midseason form, which is a scary proposition for opposing defenses. Burrow will be a must-start QB1 in Week 1 of the regular season versus the division-rival Cleveland Browns. He does not have the rushing upside of Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson, but Burrow is just a tier below and is ranked at RotoBaller as the QB5 going into 2025.