The New Orleans Saints’ main priority heading into this offseason was to be able to fill several holes on their roster that arose during the 2022 season. The Saints had a busy offseason that included trading Sean Payton to the Denver Broncos, signing Jamaal Williams, adding talent through the draft, and so much more.

The biggest offseason addition for the Saints was at the quarterback position, bringing Derek Carr in as QB1. The Saints are hoping that Carr can bounce back from an up-and-down 2022 campaign with the Las Vegas Raiders. The quarterback position has been in limbo for the Saints ever since Drew Brees decided to hang up his cleats, but Dennis Allen is hoping that Carr can bring this team back to the playoffs.

Derek Carr Reunites With A Familiar Face:

Derek Carr joins Saints with a chip on his shoulder after how things ended with the Raiders

Saints QB Derek Carr (4) and Saints HC Dennis Allen – Matthew Hinton/Associated Press

Carr was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the 36th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, and he received a lot of hype coming from Fresno State. Allen was the head man for the Raiders when they made that selection and the relationship between the two would only get stronger. The Raiders started out the season with four consecutive losses, resulting in the team cutting ties with Allen as their head coach. Even though their time together would be brief, Allen spoke on his time with Carr starting his NFL career in Oakland:

“I had the opportunity to work with Derek at the start of his professional football career. In addition to his talent, I admired his approach to the game, work ethic, and commitment to get better every day in what were the formative stages of his career.”

Carr would go on to spend nine seasons with the Raiders. Las Vegas would go on to only make the playoffs twice during his tenure with the team (2016 and 2021). In his nine seasons with the team, Carr had a pass completion percentage of 64.6% and threw for 35,222 yards and 217 touchdowns with 99 interceptions. He would go on to make the Pro Bowl four times.

The Raiders and Carr decided to break away from each other as the 31-year-old quarterback. Carr would step away from the team for the final two games during the 2022 season marking the end of his run with the Raiders. During the 2022 season, Carr finished the year with 3,522 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. 2022 would be one of his worst seasons yet, but he believes there is still more on the table for him in his career in the NFL.

How The Deal Was Done:

Derek Carr looks to throw against the Steelers

Saints QB Derek Carr (4) – Gaelen Morse/Getty Images

One of the main priorities for the Saints heading into the offseason was to address the quarterback position. The Saints were able to do just that as they were able to lock up Carr to a four-year contract. The contract is worth up to $150 million and includes up to $100 million in guarantees. New Orleans was one of the teams that went full press on Carr, even when he was still with the Raiders.

The Saints’ interest would start early as the team tried to put together a trade to land the 31-year-old quarterback, but Carr declined to waive a no-trade clause. With that decision, he would go on to be released by the Raiders. He was officially a free agent, and New Orleans would remain the front-runners. It allowed the quarterback to sign with any team and the Saints were able to get the job done.

The Quarterback Carousel The Last Few Seasons:

Jameis Winston throws a pass against the Commanders

Saints QB Jameis Winston (2) – Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Ever since Brees decided to retire after the 2020 season, the quarterback position has been a carousel. After Brees’ wrapped up his career in the NFL, there were a lot of question marks to be answered on who would be the signal caller heading into the 2021 season. The two main candidates heading into that season were Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill. Payton decided to go with Winston and he wouldn’t disappoint right out of the gates.

New Orleans would storm their way out to a 38-3 dominating win over the Packers in week one but would get humbled by the Panthers in week two. The Saints would be 4-2 heading into their first matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Winston was able to have success early with the Saints’ offense, that was until week eight against the Buccaneers. The Florida State product’s season would come to an end after suffering a torn ACL in that game. Trevor Siemian had to finish that game for the Saints and New Orleans was able to hold on to a 36-27 win.

After that injury, Siemian would start the next four games for New Orleans. Hill and Ian Book would also get some time as the signal caller. The Saints weren’t able to recover after losing Winston as they missed out on the playoffs. The same story would happen during the 2022 season as Winston would suffer another injury and Andy Dalton was the starting quarterback the rest of the way. Once again, the Saints were unable to make the playoffs as they finished the 2022 season with a 7-10 record.

This is a make-or-break year for the Saints, and New Orleans is hoping that Carr can be a consistent winner with them. Allen has a lot of trust in bringing Carr into this system, and is hoping it turns into a playoff appearance this season. After the last two seasons where the quarterback position has been in limbo, New Orleans will be hoping for stability with Carr as their signal caller moving forward.