Who Should I Start? Derek Carr or Tua Tagovailoa

Friday, May 16, 12:31 PM

Everyone concedes that quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) was dealing with a torn right labrum and "significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff," but not everyone believes it's the full story of why he abruptly retired, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Katherine Terrell. Just before free agency in early March, word began to spread within league circles that Carr, who was heading into the third year of a four-year, $150 million contract, was open to playing elsewhere. According to three league sources, one of his representatives spoke with at least two teams in the market for a QB about potential interest in Carr. A team source said Carr had a close kinship with last season's coaches in New Orleans, who are all now gone, and the Saints' plan to restructure his contract was another potential source of friction. New head coach Kellen Moore never fully committed to Carr being the starter in 2025, either, before learning of his shoulder injury. It sounds as though in addition to his shoulder injury, Carr knew 2025 was going to be his last with the Saints, and rather than trying to figure out a plan to play elsewhere, he decided to hang up his cleats.

Wednesday, June 4, 12:27 PM

The Palm Beach Post's Joe Schad writes that it appears Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is embracing the challenge to take complete command and become more of a leader in the same offense and under the same head coach for a fourth consecutive season. "(Tua) had the most ownership of all the players on each and every down," head coach Mike McDaniel said during the second week of organized team activities. The former first-rounder came into the league with a propensity to defer to older players, but that's not the case now as he heads into Year 6 in the NFL. "Tua in Year 6, he's definitely a lot more confident and decisive on and off the field," tackle Austin Jackson said. The 27-year-old's 2024 season was derailed by concussion and hip injuries, and he could be one more concussion away from his career being over. But if Tagovailoa can stay healthy, he has the weapons to at least be in the low-end QB1 picture.