The New Orleans Saints may be about to finally find an identity in the post-Drew Brees era, not to mention a winning combination.
After a frustrating season of Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton at quarterback, veteran Derek Carr, a four-time Pro Bowler, will be starting under center.
Many are now picking the Saints to finish first in the NFC South and perhaps even have a shot at doing something special in the playoffs.
In fact, analyst Adam Schein says Carr is “a perfect fit in New Orleans” and that he will “have a monster season.”
Schein even said he feels there’s a chance New Orleans ends up getting the top seed in the NFC.
"Derek Carr is a perfect fit in New Orleans [and he's] gonna have a monster season for the Saints!"
—@AdamSchein on the @Saints QB pic.twitter.com/Czi9KQ39td
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) June 19, 2023
Carr’s first nine years were all spent with the Las Vegas Raiders, and those years were largely fruitless.
Last season, they were expected to be Super Bowl contenders with the arrival of star wide receiver Davante Adams, but they instead finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs.
That ineptitude led to Las Vegas benching Carr late in the season, then releasing him.
But now Carr will get a new start, and he will have two solid weapons to work with in wideouts Chris Olave, who is coming off a strong season, and Michael Thomas, who is looking to rebound after three injury-riddled seasons.
As recently as 2020, Thomas led the NFL with 1,725 receiving yards.
The Saints have also landed running back Jamaal Williams, who had a league-high 17 rushing touchdowns in 2022.
All the ingredients are there for them to surprise the football world this fall and winter.
NEXT: Saints WR Has A Clear Goal For The 2023 Season