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The New Orleans Saints are trying to hold off the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South. But what happens at the end of their season? Regardless of a Super Bowl win or not, they must look toward the future. Will they bring back Drew Brees or look for another QB? If it's the latter, then they may not have to look any further than their own division. What about Matt Ryan or Cam Newton?
With Brees possibly done after this season despite still playing at a high level, the Saints must really think long-term here. If they continue to win, that handcuffs them as far as drafting a high-caliber QB in the NFL Draft in 2020. Their next solution is to make a trade to draft up and that will cost them. Their only choice will be to make two separate calls to the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons.
Moving on from Brees will end a successful era but bringing in one of these two veteran signal-callers will hopefully smooth over any controversial growing pains.
If the Saints decide to go with Ryan, they will get a former MVP who has led his team to a Super Bowl. Ryan, for his career has passed for over 48,000 yards with 300+ touchdowns while completing close to 65.6 percent of his passes. Ryan has a great arm and should be able to build instant chemistry with receiver Michael Thomas. Add in Alvin Kamara and Ryan should feel right at home with his new weapons.
On the other side, stands Newton. To mirror Ryan's success, Newton has led the Panthers to a Super Bowl and also took home the MVP Award in 2015. Newton, for his career has passed for 29,041 yards with 182 touchdowns while completing 59.6 percent of his passes. However, with Newton, the Saints will also get one of the most dangerous out-of-the-pocket QBs the NFL has ever seen. For his career, Newton has rushed for 4806 yards and 58 touchdowns with an average of 5.1 yards per carry.
What this decision may come down to is money and picks.
Matt Ryan is still under contract with the Falcons through 2022 with a annual salary of $23M. To get Ryan, the Saints will have to surrender no less than a first rounder plus be willing take on the $43M he's owed for the next two seasons. At that time, Ryan will be 36 years old. Is this something the Saints are willing to deal with?
As for Newton, he has one more year left on his contract. This may be the best option for the New Orleans Saints. With only $18.6M due to Newton next season, his services will be viewed as a discount considering the price range for lesser-known QBs. With the Panthers playing extremely well with the young Kyle Allen, moving Newtom may be a viable option by the trade deadline this year or during the offseason.
While there may be other options for the Saints this offseason, one thing is for certain is that Teddy Bridgwater is not the best fit for the offense. Teddy has won games, however, he does appear to be a bit uncomfortable when the game is tight. With the array of weapons at his disposal, Bridgwater has completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 1370 yards whole tossing none touchdowns against two interceptions. Bridgewater has played well, but well enough to take the reigns next season?
The window for the New Orleans Saints is not closing but if Drew Brees does depart and the front office does not have a suitable replacement, then that window slides down a bit more than it would if they continue to go with Bridgewater.
Adding a veteran such as Matt Ryan or Cam Newton may be throwing caution to the wind. But are the Saints willing to waste 2-3 years on a rookie? Are they prepared to put the careers (stat-wise) of their skilled-players on hold as they figure out the most important position in the league? Brees may be gone and Teddy Bridgewater may have salvaged a bad situation, but adding a proven winner to keep the Super Bowl talk going is all that matters in the end.
