Surprising Saints Signing Overlooks Critical QB Situation After Derek Carr

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The Saints just signed receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones while their quarterback situation is in complete shambles. Who’s going to throw him the ball? That’s apparently a problem for another day.

Derek Carr has once again found a way to make headlines this offseason – this time by suddenly retiring and leaving New Orleans in quarterback purgatory. The situation is now even worse than when Carr was sidelined with injuries last season.

The Saints’ quarterback room currently features rookie Tyler Shough and second-year Spencer Rattler – not exactly what new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore had in mind for his first season. Moore might need to dust off his old helmet and cleats at this rate.

Questionable Priorities in the Big Easy

Adding Peoples-Jones – a receiver who hasn’t exactly set the league on fire – suggests one of two things: either the Saints have a trade brewing for a veteran QB, or they’re desperately adding weapons hoping to mask their glaring quarterback deficiency.

Rattler was winless as a starter last year.

Peoples-Jones bounced between Cleveland and Detroit last season but barely saw the field. His career-best campaign came in 2022 with the Browns when he managed 839 yards and 3 TDs. He’s never cracked 1,000 yards in a season, making this signing even more puzzling.

The timing feels bizarre. Why focus on adding a mid-tier receiver when you don’t have anyone reliable to deliver the football? It’s like buying premium gas when your car has no engine.

New Orleans did draft Shough in the second round, which suggests they saw something in him that many draft analysts missed. Shough wasn’t considered a top QB prospect until he gained some momentum at the combine. Perhaps the Saints knew about Carr’s retirement plans before the rest of us? That would explain why they invested such a high pick on a signal-caller most considered a day-three prospect.

The Saints’ bizarre approach to roster building continues to perplex NFL observers. Adding receivers without addressing quarterback is like buying fancy furniture for a house with no roof.

Rattler’s rookie campaign was forgettable at best – he went 0-7 as a starter with just three 200+ yard passing games. He never threw multiple TDs in a single contest. Despite these struggles, he’s currently penciled in as the starter by default.

The Saints’ lack of panic following Carr’s retirement is actually telling. They’re either supremely confident in their young QBs (unlikely), or they’re working behind the scenes on acquiring veteran help. The Peoples-Jones signing might be preparation for whoever ends up under center.

For now, Saints fans are left wondering: why add another receiver when the bigger question is who’ll be throwing the ball? Maybe the front office knows something we don’t – or maybe they’re just building the roster backward.

Peoples-Jones will join a receiving corps that includes Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Talented group – if only they had someone to get them the ball.