Saints Backup QB Situation Evaluated by Former NFL Coach

History tells us that Derek Carr isn't the only quarterback we'll see for New Orleans in 2023. A former NFL coach tells us how confident he is in the Saints backup situation.

Few teams know the importance of a quality backup quarterback like the New Orleans Saints. In 2019, a thumb injury to QB Drew Brees knocked him out for five weeks. Backup Teddy Bridgewater stepped in and played exemplary football, directing the team to a 5-0 record and keeping them on track for a division title. 

Brees was lost again for four games in 2020, this time because of serious rib injuries. Taysom Hill got the nod over Jameis Winston in his place and helped the Saints to a 3-1 mark. Since Brees retired, New Orleans has used five quarterbacks in the last 34 contests. 

Anointed starter Jameis Winston was lost for the year after seven starts in 2021 with a knee injury. Back and foot injuries sidelined Winston after three games last season. He never regained his starting spot, as Andy Dalton steered the team to a 6-8 finish to the year.

New Orleans signed QB Derek Carr this offseason to be the new starter. Surprisingly, Winston will remain as the backup on a reworked one-year deal to provide an experienced fallback option. Dalton was signed by division rival Carolina to back up rookie Bryce Young. 

In an article for the33rdteam.com earlier this month, former NFL offensive assistant Marty Mornhinweg ranked his top-10 NFL backup quarterbacks.

Jameis Winston cracked the list, but only at Number 7. Here's what Mornhinweg had to say about Winston. 

Jameis Winston is a very talented player. He has 80 NFL starts and has had some terrific games. Winston is capable of throwing three, four or even five touchdowns in a game. He also can do the opposite of that. He’s had some really bad games due to interceptions.

His challenge will be to play at a high level on a consistent basis. Winston is only 29, and his career passer rating is 87.5. If he can raise that above 90, he’ll be a terrific backup for the New Orleans Saints.

Perhaps More Research Was Required 

Mornhinweg is a respected offensive mind that had a 23-year NFL career as an offensive assistant. However, he had abysmal results as a head coach, going 5-23 with the Detroit Lions (2001-02) with quarterbacks like Charlie Batch and Joey Harrington. It's also clear that Mornhinweg has some work to do as a media analyst, at least in terms of rankings. 

Here's who Mornhinweg had ranked above Winston. 

6. Marcus Mariota (Eagles)

5. Gardner Minshew (Colts)

4. Jacoby Brissett (Washington)

3. Cooper Rush (Cowboys)

2. Andy Dalton (Panthers)

1. Tyrod Taylor (Giants)

Sep 11, 2022; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Winston is just 34-46 as a starter in his eight-year career, albeit on some awful Tampa Bay teams. He's also had issues with turnovers (96 career interceptions) and consistency. However, there isn't a quarterback on this list with better explosive potential. 

The 29-year-old Winston has 21,840 passing yards and 139 touchdowns. This despite missing over half of 2021 and nearly all of last season. He's one of only nine players to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season. In one of his most recent appearances, Winston led the Saints to a stirring comeback win over Atlanta in the 2022 season opener.

As a performer, none of these quarterbacks can touch Winston in terms of productivity. Perhaps Dalton earlier in his career, but he's well past his prime at age 35. Minshew has had some nice moments, but has never been able to be consistent enough to keep a starting job. Rush looked terrific with Dallas last season, but has played in just six career games. 

Mariota, taken one pick after Winston in the 2015 NFL Draft, is on his fourth team and has rarely been a productive passer. Brissett is above average in a pinch, but highly limited. Taylor, much like Mariota, is a mobile quarterback but extremely inaccurate and erratic. 

One of many traits that Mornhinweg obviously ignored is knowledge of a team's system. Winston has a valuable three years of experience in the New Orleans offense. Only Taylor (one year) and Tyler Huntley, ranked at Number 9 with Baltimore, are returning with their current teams.

A few underrated aspects about a backup quarterback is their ability to be an extra set of eyes for the starter, something greatly elevated with experience. Also crucial is the ability to step up in an instant and play efficiently on game day. Minshew, Rush, Brissett, and even Dalton have all shown those traits. This is an unanswered question that might separate a few of these backups from Winston. 

Nov 20, 2022; New Orleans Saints quarterbacks Jameis Winston (2) and Andy Dalton (14) talk in the second half against the Los Angeles Rams. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Jameis Winston has been a starter throughout most of his career. He's often been described as an unselfish teammate, obviously a vital trait for a backup. His knowledge of the offense will be helpful to Carr's rapid development. Would he be able to step in at a moment's notice to be able to lead the attack? This belief is why New Orleans worked to keep him with the team.

The Saints certainly hope that Derek Carr takes every meaningful snap in 2023. However, history tells us that we'll see Winston again in this offense. His ability to be a capable backup to Carr, but also be productive if called upon, could be the difference between a return to the postseason or a disastrous campaign for New Orleans.