Former Detroit Lions defensive end Jonah Williams made a gamble this offseason by signing a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, hoping for a fresh start and a chance to earn a long-term role. But after Derek Carr’s shocking retirement this weekend, that decision might already be backfiring.
Carr, the Saints’ 34-year-old starting quarterback, officially retired due to a shoulder injury that will require surgery. With Carr out of the picture, New Orleans is suddenly looking like one of the NFL’s least competitive teams. That’s especially tough news for players like Williams—veterans looking to prove they still belong.
Williams barely saw the field in 2024, playing just two games for the Lions after being picked up from the practice squad late in the year. He made no statistical impact but was part of a roster with Super Bowl aspirations. In Detroit, the opportunity to compete deep into January was real. That won’t be the case in New Orleans, where Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough are now battling for the starting QB job.
For Williams, who turns 30 this season and is trying to resurrect his career after a rocky stretch with the Rams, Vikings, and Lions, this year was supposed to be about proving himself. Instead, he’s stuck on a team that may spend the season rebuilding from the ground up.
While he might earn more snaps in New Orleans, the chances of a playoff push—or even a stable situation—are slim. Williams may not say it out loud, but it’s hard to imagine he’s thrilled with how things have unfolded so far.
Jonah Williams Left the Lions for the Saints—and Might Already Be Regretting It
