Joe Flacco, Drew Lock have new homes
New Orleans Saints starting quarterback Derek Carr has a shoulder injury that could require surgery and keep him out for the entire 2025 season. That news could impact the Saints’ plans in the upcoming NFL Draft, and, by extension, those of the New York Giants.
The Saints, who have the No. 9 overall pick, have already been connected to quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders of Colorado and Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss at that spot. The injury to the 34-year-old Carr could increase the likelihood that the Saints select a quarterback at No. 9.
Quarterbacks on the New Orleans roster other than Carr include Spencer Rattler, Ben DiNucci, Jake Haener and tight end-quarterback Taysom Hill. That is not an appealing group for first-year coach Kellen Moore.
The Giants are not expected to select a quarterback at No. 3, but there is a lot of speculation that the Giants could either trade back into the latter portion of Round 1 or select one on Day 2. In those scenarios, Dart has always been considered a possibility.
The Saints’ potential urgency to select a quarterback could push both Sanders and Dart higher in the draft, making it more difficult for the Giants get a quarterback should they pass on one at No. 3.
Joe Flacco to Cleveland Browns
With only Kenny Pickett and the disgraced DeShaun Watson on their roster at quarterback, the Cleveland Browns recently signed 40-year-old Joe Flacco for a second stint with the team.
The Browns, one pick ahead of the Giants in Rounds 1 and 2 of the draft, have been considered unlikely to select Sanders at No. 2. Like the Giants, though, there is a strong belief the Browns, with pick No. 33, could be in the market for a quarterback of the future with that selection.
The presence of neither Flacco nor Pickett should change that.
Drew Lock back to Seattle
After spending 2024 with the Giants, quarterback Drew Lock has found a new home — in his old home. Lock is returning to the Seattle Seahawks, where he was the backup to Geno Smith in 2022 and 2023.
He will serve as the backup to Sam Darnold this time.
Lock had a weird season with the Giants. He was the No. 2 quarterback, but was bypassed for Tommy DeVito as the starter after the Giants move on from Daniel Jones. He became the starter when DeVito was injured in his first start.
Lock played in eight games with five starts, going 1-4 in those starts. He completed 107 of 181 passes (59.1%) for 1,072 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions.
