Saints QB Crisis: Who Will Lead New Orleans in 2024?
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Saints QB Situation: Who Steps Up in 2024?
The New Orleans Saints enter the 2024 season with more questions than answers at the quarterback position. After Derek Carr’s departure to the Las Vegas Raiders, the organization faces a pivotal moment in franchise history. This isn’t merely a personnel shift—it’s a test of how Sean Payton’s system can adapt when its longtime centerpiece is gone.
The pressure is on for whoever takes the reins. The Saints’ offensive identity has revolved around Carr’s precision and pocket presence for years. Now, they must find a new conductor for an offense that still boasts playmakers like Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara. The difference this year could hinge on whether the new starter can elevate the unit or force Payton to reconsider his approach entirely.
The Candidates for the Starting Job
New Orleans has approached the quarterback carousel with caution. The team signed veteran journeyman Jameis Winston in free agency, but his injury history looms large. Winston’s cannon arm and improvisational skills could spark the offense when healthy, though his 2023 campaign ended prematurely with a torn ACL.
Behind him, the Saints drafted Toledo’s undrafted free agent Jordan Travis in 2023. A dual-threat quarterback with mobility and a strong arm, Travis flashed potential late in the season. His Week 18 performance against the Panthers—where he rushed for 67 yards and threw for 174—suggested he might be ready to seize a larger role.
- Jameis Winston: The experienced option with elite upside but durability concerns.
- Jordan Travis: The developmental prospect with dual-threat capabilities.
- Derek Carr (Raiders): Now the enemy, but his departure reshaped the Saints’ QB room.
- Trey Lance: A high-risk, high-reward trade acquisition who hasn’t yet justified his draft status.
The Saints also retained Trey Lance, the controversial third-overall pick from 2021. Lance’s development has stagnated, and his fit in Payton’s offense remains unclear. If Winston struggles early, the rookie could force his way into the conversation, though Payton has shown little patience for unproven talent in the past.
How Payton’s Offense Adapts Without Carr
Sean Payton’s offense thrived under Carr’s pinpoint accuracy and quick decision-making. Without him, the Saints must rethink their approach. The vertical passing game that defined their 2022 and 2023 seasons may need to shrink, at least initially.
This could mean leaning on play-action and bootlegs to create yards after the catch. Winston’s scrambling ability fits this mold, while Travis’s mobility could open designed runs. The running game, led by Jamaal Williams and rookie sensation Taysom Hill, will likely take on added importance.
Payton’s system has always been flexible, but Carr’s departure forces a reset. The Saints’ coaching staff must determine whether Winston or Travis can replicate Carr’s timing and chemistry with Olave and TE Juwan Johnson. If not, the offense could become more methodical, prioritizing ball security over explosive plays.
The Pressure on the Front Office
General Manager Eliot Wolf faces intense scrutiny this offseason. The Saints’ 2023 struggles—despite Carr’s presence—raised questions about the roster’s depth. Now, without their franchise QB, every transaction carries amplified weight.
The Saints’ draft capital remains strong, with multiple second-round picks in 2025. If the 2024 QB experiment fails, they could pivot to a long-term solution next year. But for now, they’re betting on Winston’s veteran savvy or Travis’s raw talent to stabilize the position.
This is a make-or-break year for Payton’s tenure in New Orleans. If the Saints miss the playoffs with a patchwork QB situation, the franchise may finally address the position with urgency—something they’ve avoided since Drew Brees retired.
What’s Next for Saints Fans
The 2024 season will be a referendum on Payton’s adaptability and the Saints’ front office. Fans are divided: some trust Winston’s big-game experience, while others pine for the certainty Carr provided. Travis, meanwhile, represents hope for the future but carries the risk of another developmental year.
One thing is certain—the QB carousel has defined the Saints’ offseason, and its outcome will shape the franchise’s trajectory for years to come. Whether it’s Winston’s veteran leadership, Travis’s youthful energy, or Lance’s untapped potential, one of them will inherit the keys to Payton’s offense.
For now, the Saints’ faithful must wait and see. The 2024 season begins with more questions than answers, but in New Orleans, that’s nothing new.
Further Reading
Explore more on the Saints’ roster changes and Payton’s offensive evolution:
