Saints QB options: Jameis Winston, Derek Carr headline limited choices in New Orleans for 2023

The Saints knew Jameis Winston might not be their future quarterback. That’s why they only signed him to a two-year deal last off-season. However, they may not have expected to start dating Andy Dalton for most of their freshman year after Sean Payton.

Dalton is now a free agent, and Winston will likely be cut after June 1st. That leaves Taysom Hill — by then a household name as a full-time quarterback — and Jake Luton, a 2020 sixth-round pick by the Jaguars who has yet to see the field.

In other words, the Saints need to do something at quarterback for 2023, whether it’s through free agency or the draft. The quarterback market also doesn’t appear to be as fluid as it was during the 2022 offseason, meaning New Orleans’ options are limited. Derek Carr is being courted by other teams – with the Jets appearing to be the most interested candidates – and he’s already visited New Orleans to meet with the potential to become their next QB.

Another option is of course refueling. The Saints are only picking 29th this year after selling their actual No. 10 to the Eagles, giving them no chance of their first or second QBs. But the 2024 draft will have some top-level options.

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The Sporting News explores how New Orleans might approach the QB this offseason:

New Orleans Saints 2023 QB Options

Stay with Jameis Winston

All in all, this is arguably the least desirable option for the Saints. Not because Winston is the worst option for the job. But after missing time last year with a back injury and subsequently having to sit on the bench for Dalton, his relationship with the team seemed strained.

Winston is a saint right now, and it’s very likely he’ll be a cut for her after June 1st. After his bench press last season, he was very obviously frustrated with how the team was handling his injury.

“It hurts my heart,” Winston said in November, according to NewOrleans.football’s Mike Triplett. “I lost my job because of an injury and the policy has always been that you don’t lose your job because of an injury.”

In other words, while Winston would no doubt give his all if given another chance, it looks like a divorce is looming between the Saints and the quarterback, who started three games last season.

Character Derek Carr

The question regarding Carr is whether it’s too late.

While still a Raider, Carr visited New Orleans to effectively interview as a quarterback. That was early February.

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After a follow-up meeting, it became apparent that 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 getting a little more interest. The Jets especially seem to be in love with him after the Zach Wilson experiment didn’t work out. A deal for Carr is by no means imminent, however, and talks could well continue through most of March and into April.

Designing Someone in 2023 (Hendon Hooker)

Options at the No. 29 pick will be limited, with CJ Stroud and Bryce Young sucking up most of the air in the quarterback conversation.

However, they are not non-existent.

Hendon Hooker, who tore his cruciate ligament in November, has been meeting extensively with several teams — including the Saints — throughout the pre-draft process. He was a High Heisman pick for Tennessee last year, completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and just two picks. He also rushed to five other TDs.

Hooker’s downside, of course, is that he’s already 25 and has had a serious injury. Florida’s Anthony Richardson is another viable option here, but the Saints might struggle to find more than one bridge at this point with Stroud, Young and Will Levis inevitably going off the board.

Tanks for 2024

Caleb Williams is already making waves as the next big thing in quarterback after winning the Heisman at USC last year.

Trouble is, to get him you’ll probably have to pick #1 overall.

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However, if the Saints don’t mind eating a year in 2023, drafting a marquee player in 2024 is an option.

Of course, observing a personnel carrier is a lousy option. Especially when the tank seems to be due to circumstance rather than a deliberate effort. But if the Saints don’t find a quarterback this year, this could be the route they end up going.

Sign someone else in free agency

Due to the limited space in the cap, the Saints could find it difficult to pull this off.

There are quarterbacks hitting free agency this year, including Jimmy Garoppolo, Teddy Bridgewater (whom the Saints have had positive experiences with), and even Andy Dalton.

For Dennis Allen and Pete Carmichael Jr., however, it’s hard to imagine an inspiring makeover. That was Dalton, and while he’s played well enough to cling to the job, the Saints aren’t looking for 7-10 seasons, especially with the entire NFC South down.

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The Saints’ quarterback options are limited, but a creative team can make them work. Essentially, it always boils down to two choices: call someone up or sign someone. The Saints are trying to figure that out. Carr is probably giving them their best shot at competing in a seedy NFC South next season. But three of the four Championship weekend teams last year had quarterbacks on rookie deals (including the 49ers, which had two in Trey Lance and Brock Purdy).

There’s no perfect solution this year, but the Saints need to build a team somehow. You just need to determine what your cap really is and act accordingly.