Quarterback Questions Facing Klint Kubiak In His First Year With The New Orleans Saints
Whatever little doubt might have remained on who the New Orleans Saints quarterback would be in 2024 was removed before the end of the 2023-24 regular season. As soon as the Saints made the decision to retain head coach Dennis Allen for a third season, the simultaneous decision was clinched that Derek Carr would be the starting quarterback.
For better or worse, the fates of Allen, Carr, and the Saints will be linked. So no, New Orleans fans, forget the possibility that the team uses a first-round draft choice on a quarterback for only the second time in franchise history.
While Carr is sure to be the starter in 2024, new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak still faces uncertainty at the quarterback position. First, and most importantly, how will Carr fit Kubiak's system? Secondly, and this is an underrated issue, what are the options if Carr gets injured or plays poorly enough to be benched?
Granted, the latter is unlikely to happen given Allen's favoritism towards Carr last season. However, it's a valid issue given how many jobs could be on the line if the Saints miss the playoffs for a fourth straight year.
New Orleans traded a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2023 seventh-round choice to select Fresno State QB Jake Haener in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Haener flashed some potential in training camp, but his development was further stunted because of a six-game suspension to start the regular season. It seems unlikely he'll just be handed the backup job because of his inexperience.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) passes the ball against the Detroit Lions. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Jameis Winston has been with the Saints for four seasons. Originally signed to back up Drew Brees in 2020, Winston took over starting duties in 2021. A season-ending knee injury after seven games ended that season. He started again in 2021, but back and foot injuries put him back on the bench after three contests. Even once medically cleared, coach Dennis Allen elected to stay with Andy Dalton at quarterback.
Surprisingly, Winston and the Saints agreed to a restructured contract to bring him back to the team in 2023. Carr started all 17 games, but injuries forced Winston into three contests during the year.
A mercurial passer, Winston has 2,367 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 10 starts plus a handful of other appearances in four years with New Orleans. He's capable of big outings, evidenced by a 5,000-yard with Tampa Bay and several 300-yard outings in his career. He's also capable of crippling mistakes, proven by his 99 career interceptions.
It's also clear that Jameis Winston does not have the trust of coach Dennis Allen. With Winston's contract voiding on March 12, it looks likely that the Saints will take the modest salary cap hit and allow him to hit free agency.
Perhaps Klint Kubiak will see Winston as a fit for his offensive system. It's also possible that Kubiak will view Haener as a suitable backup despite his inexperience. Remember that he had success with a seventh-round rookie named Brock Purdy in 2022 when injuries forced him into the lineup with San Francisco.
The most probable scenario is that the Saints allow Winston to leave in free agency and look to bring in another veteran quarterback on a cheap and short-term deal. Here are some quarterbacks that will possibly be available this season who have worked with Kubiak or new QB coach Andrew Janocko. And no, Kirk Cousins is NOT going to be an option.
Sam Darnold, 49ers
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Darnold was the third overall choice in the 2018 NFL Draft out of USC by the New York Jets. A backup in San Francisco last season, Darnold is just 21-35 as a starter with the Jets and Panthers. For his career, he's completed only 59.7% of his throws for 12,064 yards with 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions.
An unrestricted free agent, Darnold certainly falls into the category of a draft bust. He's failed to complete even 60% of his throws and threw double-digit interceptions in four of his five seasons as a starter.
As laughable as it sounds, the Saints may view Darnold as a viable backup behind Carr. Yes, he's more than proven that he's not a quality starter. However, Darnold could be an experienced short-term option should Carr get injured. More importantly, he has a year of valuable experience in Kubiak's system.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
A second-round pick by New England in the 2014 NFL Draft, Garoppolo had most of his success after being traded to the 49ers in 2017. In six years with San Francisco, he compiled a 38-17 record while helping his team to two NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl appearance. Over those six campaigns, he completed 67.6% of his throws for 13,599 yards with 82 touchdowns and just 42 interceptions.
Garoppolo was often accused of being a system quarterback who only looked good because of great weapons in San Francisco. He did nothing to dispel that notion with the Raiders last season. In six starts before getting benched, he'd throw for just 1,205 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Garoppolo, who will also be suspended for the start of next season for violation of the league's substance policy, is expected to be released by the Raiders. Additionally, Garoppolo has a long history of injuries, playing as many as 16 games just once in his 10-year career.
Nonetheless, Garoppolo has been extremely successful in Kubiak's system. He played for Kubiak just one season, but spent six years in Kyle Shanahan's offense with San Francisco. While an unlikely pickup for New Orleans, he'd be an outstanding asset for the offense with proven success as a starter.
Justin Fields, Bears
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY
The 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, Fields has been the subject of several trade rumors this offseason. In three seasons with a bad Chicago team, he just hasn't developed as expected.
Fields has completed only 60.3% of his throws for a meager average of just 167 yards in 38 starts, with a 10-28 record and 40 touchdown passes against 30 interceptions. He does add an explosive rushing element to the offense, running for over 1,000 yards in 2022 and scoring 14 times on the ground. Remember that one of Fields top targets at Ohio State was also Saints WR Chris Olave.
With the Bears holding the top overall pick and also the ninth selection in the draft, most expect Fields to be traded. The Saints seem an unlikely destination. However, he played the last two years with Andrew Janocko as his QB coach and has two years left on his rookie contract.
If the trade market for Fields goes cold and New Orleans could snag him for a conditional Day 3 pick, reuniting Fields with Janocko as a reclamation project behind Carr could be a surprise offseason move.
