The Saints knew Jameis Winston might not be their quarterback of the future. It's why they only signed him to a two-year deal last offseason. However, they may not have expected to have started most of their first year post-Sean Payton with Andy Dalton.
Dalton is now a free agent, and Winston is likely a post-June 1 cut. That leaves Taysom Hill -- a known quantity as a full-time quarterback at this point -- and Jake Luton, a 2020 sixth-round pick by the Jaguars who is yet to see the field.
In other words: The Saints need to do something at quarterback for 2023, whether it be through free agency or the draft. The quarterback market also seemingly isn't as fluid as it was in the 2022 offseason, meaning New Orleans' options are limited. Derek Carr is being wooed by other teams -- with the Jets seeming to be the most interested suitors -- and he already visited New Orleans to meet about potentially being their next QB.
Another option, of course, is to tank. The Saints don't pick until 29th this year after trading their actual No. 10 pick to the Eagles, so they won't get a shot at their first or second-tier QBs. But the 2024 draft is going to have some top-level options.
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The Sporting News looks at the ways New Orleans could go at QB this offseason:
New Orleans Saints 2023 QB options
Stick with Jameis Winston
All things considered, this is arguably the least desirable option for the Saints. Not because of Winston being the worst option for the job. But because after he missed time last year with a back injury and was subsequently benched for Dalton, his relationship with the team seemed strained.
Winston is currently a Saint, and he is very likely to be a post-June 1 cut for them. After his benching last season, he was very obviously frustrated with the team for how it handled his injury.
“It hurts my soul,” Winston said in November, per NewOrleans.football's Mike Triplett . “I lost my job due to injury, and the policy has always been you don’t lose your job because of injury.”
In other words, although Winston would undoubtedly give it his all if given another shot, it looks like a divorce is coming between the Saints and the quarterback, who started three games last season.
Sign Derek Carr
The question regarding Carr is if it's too late.
While still a Raider, Carr visited New Orleans to effectively interview to be its quarterback. That was in early February.
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After a follow-up meeting, it became apparent Carr's contract would be an obstacle, and he was released by the Raiders after visiting the Saints to explore the possibility of a trade.
On the open market, Carr is garnering a bit more interest. The Jets in particular seem enamored with him, after the Zach Wilson experiment didn't work out. However, a deal for Carr isn't imminent by any means, and the conversations could well continue throughout much of March and into April.
Draft someone in 2023 (Hendon Hooker)
Options at the No. 29 pick are going to be limited, with C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young sucking up most of the air in the quarterback conversation.
They aren't, however, nonexistent.
Hendon Hooker, who tore his ACL in November, has met extensively with several teams -- including the Saints -- throughout the pre-draft process. He was a high Heisman candidate last year for Tennessee, completing 69.6 percent of his passes 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just two picks. He also rushed for five more TDs.
The downside to Hooker, of course, is that he's already 25 and coming off a major injury. Florida's Anthony Richardson is another viable option here, but the Saints might have trouble finding more than a bridge in this spot with Stroud, Young, and Will Levis inevitably off the board.
Tank for 2024
Caleb Williams is already getting buzz as the next big thing at quarterback after winning the Heisman at USC last year.
The problem is, to get him, you're likely going to have to be picking No. 1 overall.
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Nevertheless, if the Saints don't mind eating a year in 2023, then drafting a marquee player in 2024 is an option.
Watching a team tank is, of course, a miserable option. Particularly when the tank seems to be largely due to circumstance rather than a deliberate effort. But if the Saints don't find a quarterback this year, it may be the route they end up going.
Sign someone else in free agency
Due to limited cap space, this one could be tough for the Saints to pull off.
There are quarterbacks hitting free agency this year, including Jimmy Garoppolo, Teddy Bridgewater (who the Saints have had positive experience with), and even Andy Dalton.
For Dennis Allen and Pete Carmichael Jr., however, it's hard to imagine an inspiring retread. That's what Dalton was, and while he played well enough to cling onto the job, the Saints aren't looking for 7-10 seasons, particularly when the entire NFC South is down.
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The Saints' quarterback options are limited, but a creative team can make them work. Essentially, it always comes down to two options: draft someone or sign someone. That's what the Saints are trying to reckon with. Carr likely gives them the best shot to compete in a down NFC South next season. But three of the four championship weekend teams last year had quarterbacks on rookie deals (including the 49ers, who had two in Trey Lance and Brock Purdy).
There's no perfect solution this year, but the Saints will have to field a team somehow. They just have to determine what their ceiling truly is and act accordingly.
