The New Orleans Saints have utilized the offseason to reduce roster changes, apparently aiming to contend in 2025 instead of undergoing a rebuild.
The team’s decisions to retain Derek Carr, Cameron Jordan, and Tyrann Mathieu while restructuring their contracts to create salary cap flexibility clearly demonstrated that. The Saints utilized part of that space to re-sign Juwan Johnson and Chase Young. The squad additionally signed safety Justin Reid.
Every choice the team has made so far in the offseason appears to be aimed at rapidly improving the situation and relying on increased health. Indeed, health is already a significant issue. The Saints are currently uncertain at quarterback due to Derek Carr’s shoulder injury.
There’s been talk regarding possible substitutes in the upcoming NFL Draft. However, is it possible that there remains a veteran option available that could assist?
Tom Dierberger from Sports Illustrated proposed seven possible alternatives for Carr, with the most notable option being four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins.
“With Aaron Rodgers likely heading towards wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform in 2025, the main question on the quarterback carousel is Cousins’s future,” stated Dierberger. Currently labeled as Michael Penix’s $40 million backup, Cousins has informed the Atlanta Falcons’ management that he wishes to be a starter in 2025.
“The Cleveland Browns appeared to be the frontrunners to acquire Cousins until they brought veteran Joe Flacco aboard on Friday.” “Then, why not the Saints?”
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons but wasn’t fully healthy himself in 2025 and the team opted to bench him in favor of Michal Penix. It has been reported that Cousins wants to get traded, but not until after the NFL Draft so the same situation that happened last year doesn’t repeat itself. Could he be a solution for New Orleans if it doesn’t land someone like Shedeur Sanders?