The New Orleans Saints have been in QB turmoil since last season. None of their three QBs were able to impress when given the opportunity to shine in the Big Easy. Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener all looked like lost souls who ventured around aimlessly with their presence. So, to sort some things out, the Saints chose to bring in former Cowboys QB Ben DiNucci. Signed to their practice squads back in December, DiNucci ended up staying on a futures deal. Now, once the season ended and Kellen Moore was announced as the head coach, DiNucci was predicted to play a vital role in Moore’s offense given his previous ties with him. But it seems the Saints are moving in a different direction compared to what people predicted.

For some time, DiNucci was cited as the most important person in the Saints’ QB room. His short-lived tenure in Dallas from 2020 to 2021, where he even started one game, overlapped with Moore’s. Not only Moore, Doug Nussmeier, and Scott Tolzien, who once worked in Dallas with Moore, are now in New Orleans. So, obviously, DiNucci was seen as the man Moore could rely upon as he tries to install his offensive scheme in Louisiana. Having seen the playbook Moore used to follow, DiNucci was touted to be a possible mentor to other QBs.

With Derek Carr’s future in doubt due to a shoulder injury, DiNucci could have been the surprise starter for the Saints. However, those things aren’t likely to happen anymore. DiNucci’s dream of establishing himself as a starting quarterback in the NFL remains unfulfilled, as the Saints announced his release on Tuesday. According to NFL insider Ari Meirov, the Saints released Ben DiNucci. That brings an end to the 28-year-old’s short-lived tenure in NOLA.

Given that he was on a futures deal, his salary cap probably wasn’t the reason the Saints ditched him. It may well be tied to their bloated QB room. After the Saints chose to add Louisville’s rookie QB Tyler Shough, the Saints had 5 QBs in total. And with this move, they may be cutting down on roster spots. Because moments before DiNucci’s release came to light, the Saints added veteran free agent Chris Rumph II to their roster. Meanwhile, the Saints are most likely to ride out the 2025 season with their not-so-rookie QB, Tyler Shough, as the week 1 starter.

Kellen Moore puts his fate on Tyler Shough after ignoring Shedeur Sanders

Building up to the draft, the Saints had a huge hole to fill in their QB room. Until Derek Carr’s shoulder injury, their plan was pretty sorted. Ride out 2025 with Carr while allowing a rookie QB to develop behind him. However, the moment Carr’s injury was slated as a potential season-ending one. The Saints had to look for someone who could come in and start right away. So, given Shedeur Sanders’ last season in Colorado, which saw him lead the FBS in pass completion rate among other accolades. Shedeur was expected to be picked by the Saints once they were on the clock.

But after ignoring him at No.9, picking Kelvin Banks Jr. instead, the Saints shocked everyone by choosing Tyler Shough next. With their 40th overall pick, they picked Shough, who spent 7 years in college. With his age (soon to be 26), injury concerns, Kellen Moore still believes he is the right man to lead his team. “Tyler’s experience, certainly there’s value to that. You can see it in the classroom aspect of this thing..He’s got great exposure and he’s got great experiences that he can lean on,” Moore said when asked about his thoughts behind picking Shough.

Saints not only have chosen to ignore Shough’s injuries and age, but they are simply embracing them going forward. His maturity has appealed to them as they look to turn his franchise around, which hasn’t seen a proper QB since the days of Drew Brees.