WATCH: Drew Brees talks on recent New Orleans Saints moves, Derek Carr’s retirement, and new Surge Entertainment

Drew Brees Unveils Surge Entertainment, Weighs In on Derek Carr’s Retirement and Saints’ Offseason Moves

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback and Super Bowl XLIV MVP Drew Brees was on hand May 17, 2025, to celebrate the grand opening of Surge Entertainment in Metairie, Louisiana. Far from a mere ribbon-cutting, the event showcased Brees’s growing entrepreneurial ambitions while also serving as a backdrop for the franchise legend’s candid thoughts on three hot topics: the sudden retirement of quarterback Derek Carr, the Saints’ recent roster adjustments, and the vision for the team under new head coach Kellen Moore.

Surge Entertainment: Brees’s New Family-Friendly Playground

Located at 7000 Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie, Surge Entertainment is the latest in a chain of indoor entertainment centers co-owned by Brees. The venue boasts an array of attractions – from bowling lanes and a full-service restaurant to state-of-the-art arcades, laser tag arenas, go-kart tracks, five pickleball courts, and two Padel courts. According to the official Surge Fun website, the center aims to provide “a high-energy environment that’s perfect for friends, families, and fun for all ages” .

At the opening ceremony, Brees emphasized how his role as a father of four inspired the concept. “Being a father of four children, I am always looking for ways to provide great family experiences,” he said. “This is why I created the Surge brand of parks. Each park is customized to include features and activities that are fun for the whole family” . Attendees were treated to demonstrations of the venue’s immersive virtual-reality “Dark Ride” roller coaster, high-ropes ninja courses, and a social lounge dubbed the “Tailgate Lounge,” illustrating the breadth of experiences packed under one roof.

The Shockwaves of Derek Carr’s Retirement

Just a week prior, on May 10, 2025, the Saints announced quarterback Derek Carr was stepping away from the NFL, citing persistent pain in his right shoulder stemming from a labral tear and degenerative rotator cuff damage . Carr, 34, was entering the third year of a four-year, $150 million contract signed in March 2023. By opting for retirement, he forfeited a $30 million base salary in 2025 but retained a $10 million roster bonus received in March .

Insiders now reveal Carr had discreetly gauged interest from other teams in early March, despite not receiving formal permission from the Saints to explore outside options. Sources indicate his representatives reached out to at least two playoff-contending franchises, a maneuver facilitated by the looming free agency period and Carr’s desire to find the best competitive fit . Ultimately, medical concerns – rather than a lack of suitors – precipitated his departure, as scans in late March confirmed the extent of his shoulder injury, leading Carr to conclude he could no longer perform at the level both he and the organization expected.

Brees on Carr: Friendship, Empathy, and Support

News of Carr’s retirement resonated deeply with Brees, who famously overcame a potentially career-ending labrum tear himself early in his career. According to a SaintsReport.com interview, “When he first heard that Derek Carr had a shoulder injury, Drew Brees didn’t hesitate to reach out. Brees, after all, knew a thing or two about overcoming such an ailment. He offered to be a sounding board” . Though not in active competition with Carr, Brees’s gesture underscored the fraternity among quarterbacks and his genuine concern for a fellow signal-caller facing a difficult crossroads.

Brees also lauded Carr’s integrity and gratitude in public statements. Carr’s retirement announcement included heartfelt thanks to “teammates, coaches, management, ownership, team officials and especially the fans who made this journey so special” – sentiments Brees amplified during media scraps at Surge, praising Carr’s commitment to New Orleans both on and off the field.

Roster Realignment: Draft Picks and Undrafted Free Agents

Carr’s exit created a quarterback void the Saints wasted no time addressing. During the 2025 NFL Draft, New Orleans remained patient in pursuit of long-term stability, selecting Louisville product Tyler Shough with the 40th overall pick. Shough, known for his poised pocket presence and football IQ, joins a quarterback room that now includes journeyman Spencer Rattler, third-year pro Jake Haener, and rookie Hunter Dekkers.

In response to Carr’s abrupt departure and to round out the depth chart, the Saints inked Hunter Dekkers as an undrafted free agent. Dekkers, a standout at Iowa Western Community College who had previously lost NCAA eligibility due to a betting scandal, posted 3,806 passing yards and 32 touchdowns in his final junior-college season . Now, he will compete in offseason workouts and training camp for an opportunity to contribute, reflecting the team’s “next-man-up” mentality under GM Mickey Loomis.

Coach Kellen Moore Gets the Brees Stamp of Approval

Perhaps most notably, Brees used his platform at Surge Entertainment to endorse the Saints’ new head coach, Kellen Moore. Speaking to reporters, he remarked, “I’ve heard nothing but great things about Kellen” and traced his admiration back to when Moore dominated games as Boise State’s underdog-turned-giant killer . Brees highlighted Moore’s methodical approach, leadership, and ability to galvanize players – qualities the future Hall of Famer sees as perfectly suited to New Orleans’s culture.

Moore’s task is monumental: navigating a mid-May coaching debut, integrating rookie talents, and stabilizing a lineup in flux. Yet Brees believes firmly in the 36-year-old’s vision. “He belongs here,” Brees asserted. “He’s great for this organization right now. He’s ready for this fanbase” . Such a public show of confidence from the franchise’s most iconic quarterback sends a clear message: the transition to a post-Payton, post-Carr era has league-wide legitimacy.

The Case for a Veteran Quarterback Mentor

Despite the infusion of young talent, Brees stopped short of declaring the quarterback room locked. Echoing lessons from his early years, where veterans like Doug Flutie and Mark Brunell served as invaluable mentors, Brees advocated for New Orleans to explore adding a veteran presence. “If I was kind of building the formula for a young quarterback to be successful, having a veteran guy who can help bring you along is vital,” he explained in a WWL Radio appearance . This counsel aligns with many analysts’ views that a seasoned professional could accelerate Shough or Rattler’s development during the grind of a 17-game season.

Potential candidates include established names such as Carson Wentz or Ryan Tannehill, both of whom could be available and willing to embrace a mentorship role . The Saints front office must balance cap constraints, roster spots, and the imperative to foster an environment where the franchise’s next long-term quarterback can flourish.

Looking Ahead: Optimism and Opportunity

As Metairie’s Surge Entertainment doors opened to enthusiastic families, so too did a new chapter for the New Orleans Saints. Brees’s dual role – serving as both a civic-minded entrepreneur and a trusted football statesman – provided a fitting metaphor for transition. On one hand, he’s building community through fun and fellowship; on the other, he’s guiding the football organization he helped define through its most significant offseason in years.

The convergence of these themes underscores Brees’s lasting impact: whether donning a jersey or a ribbon-cutting scissors, his passion for excellence and connection with people persists. With Surge Entertainment as his newest platform and the Saints embarking on a bold rebuild under Moore’s leadership, Brees’s voice remains an anchor of optimism in New Orleans’s sporting and civic life. Time will tell if Tyler Shough emerges as the next franchise quarterback or if a veteran mentor arrives to steady the ship. But with Drew Brees’s endorsement lighting the way, the Saints—and the community—are poised for an exciting surge forward.