The New Orleans Saints' quarterback room is coming into focus.
The Saints are expected to sign veteran quarterback Nathan Peterman to compete for the backup job behind Derek Carr, according to reports. The news was first reported by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.
Peterman will join a room that consists of starter Derek Carr and second-year pro Jake Haener, whom the Saints traded up to select in the 4th round of the 2023 draft, but did not see any action outside of the preseason. The backup role was filled by Jameis Winston last year, but he has moved on to join the Cleveland Browns in the same role.
There were several bigger potential names to be considered on the free agent market were the Saints concerned about Haener's ability, a likely indicator that there is hope that the young QB could step up and fill the backup role.
One thing Peterman does offer is a veteran presence, having started five games over his 6-year NFL career, and familiarity with both Derek Carr and new quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko. Peterman was a teammate of Carr on the Raiders in the 2020 and 2021 season and spent the past two years with the Bears, where Janocko served as QBs coach.
Peterman's signing was another lower-end move in what has been a largely quiet offseason for New Orleans, with the most significant moves being reworked deals and extensions for both LB Demario Davis and S Tyrann Mathieu, as well as a reworked deal for Ryan Ramczyk that offers some security should his knee issue limit his availability for 2024 and beyond. The Saints have also signed a pair of fullbacks in Adam Prentice and Zander Horvath, along with linebacker Willie Gay.
A handful of free agents have already departed for new digs, including Winston (Browns), LB Zack Baun (Eagles), S Lonnie Johnson Jr. (Texans) and DT Malcolm Jenkins (Broncos). The Saints have also cut ties with safety Marcus Maye and WR Michael Thomas, though neither had yet landed with a new team as of Thursday morning. CB Avonte Maddox and DE Chase Young have also been linked to the Saints through free agent visits.
