Carolina Panthers: Ranking the NFC South quarterback rooms
By Luke Tucker
No. 1: New Orleans Saints
After mulling retirement for several months after the season’s end, Drew Brees has decided to return for a 20th season in the league. Brees has kept the Saints contenders for most of his 14-year tenure in New Orleans, setting numerous records along the way. He holds the NFL records for most passing yards and touchdowns, as well as completions. Perhaps no other quarterback–except for maybe Brady–has been as consistently excellent as Brees has.
The longtime Saints quarterback has completed at least 68% of his passes in each of the past seven seasons, making him the only player to do so. He hasn’t passed for less than 265 yards per game since arriving in New Orleans in 2006 and has increased his passer rating in each of the last six seasons. Brees has made the Pro Bowl in 11 of the last 12 years and has lead the Saints to three-straight division titles. All that being said, it’s clear that even with his age, the 41-year-old isn’t slowing down.
Behind Brees, the Saints have what is easily the best backup quarterback situation in the division. After spending the last five seasons with Tampa Bay, Jameis Winston agreed to a one-year deal this past month, giving him an opportunity to learn and resurrect his career under one of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks ever. Winston struggled mightily with turnovers and consistency while with the Bucs, but even still, his potential is overflowing. If the Saints choose to retain him after this season, he could possibly be developed into an ultra-dangerous quarterback in the NFL.
Aside from Brees and Winston, the Saints will also bring back do-it-all athlete Taysom Hill after agreeing to a new two-year deal last month. Despite being a one-of-a-kind chess piece in Sean Payton’s offense, there have been rumors that he could be the eventual successor when Brees retires. For now though, one would assume that Hill will continue to be used in the same multi-purpose role that he has carved out over the past few seasons.
From top-to-bottom, the Saints have the clear-cut best quarterback room in the NFC South. New Orleans has two capable starters on their depth chart with a third that can do anything or play any position on the football field. The Saints already have two Pro Bowlers at the position in Brees and Winston, and depending on how large Hill’s role is this season, he could be the third. Not only do the Saints have the best quarterback situation in the division, but perhaps in the entire NFL.