New Orleans Saints Depth Chart
- NFC South
- Stadium
- Mercedes-Benz Superdome
- Head Coach
- Sean Payton
- Offensive Coordinator
- Pete Carmichael
- Defensive Coordinator
- Dennis Allen
- Special Teams Coach
- Darren Rizzi
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network is reporting that quarterback Jameis Winston is the early leader to take the reins from Drew Brees and become the New Orleans Saints starter in 2021. Winston threw just 12 attempts this season and backed up Brees and Taysom Hill, but Winston has a much better arm than Hill and seems to be the better long-term fit. The former No. 1 overall pick does have a turnover problem, but maybe head coach Sean Payton can scheme that out of him. Winston would be a very appealing fantasy sleeper pick if he does earn this job.
The New Orleans Saints renegotiated quarterback Drew Brees' contract to free up nearly $24 million in salary cap space for the 2021 season, according to a league source. Brees is dropping his salary to the minimum, which is another big hint that he's leaning toward retirement after his season ended with a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Head coach Sean Payton said he expects an official announcement from the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer in the next week or two. Brees missed time with broken ribs and a punctured lung in 2020 and also dealt with other nagging injuries throughout the season. It's been widely expected that he will hang up his cleats. New Orleans wants to re-sign Jameis Winston to potentially take over for Brees under center in 2021, but Taysom Hill is also in the fold.
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder), the projected No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, will throw for NFL teams on Feb. 12 instead of taking part in his school's pro day next month. After Feb. 12, he will undergo surgery to fix the labrum in his left (non-throwing shoulder). Doctors are confident that Lawrence will be recovered in time for training camps in July. It's something to keep an eye on as we approach the NFL offseason and the NFL draft. It's widely expected that the Jacksonville Jaguars will use the No. 1 overall pick on Lawrence and make him their franchise QB. With great size, mobility and a cannon for an arm, the Clemson product will be the top dynasty/keeper selection this year and should be considered a QB2 with upside in his rookie year, as he'll be expected to start right away.
New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis knows it will be a "daunting" offseason if the team has to replace quarterback Drew Brees, who is expected to retire, but Loomis made it clear that the club isn't going into rebuilding mode after winning the last four NFC South titles. The Saints could also be close to $100 million over the salary cap. There is no official word yet on whether Brees will retire, but the Saints plan on waiting for his decision before deciding on how they will approach the position in 2021 and beyond. Quarterback Jameis Winston, safety Marcus Williams, defensive end Trey Hendrickson, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and tight end Jared Cook are all scheduled to be free agents. But the Saints could save at least $13.5 million in cap space if Brees retires. They could also consider a blockbuster trade to free up cap space and add draft picks like they did in the past with Jimmy Graham and Brandin Cooks.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees' (foot, shoulder) wife Brittany revealed that the 42-year-old signal-caller was playing through a torn rotator cuff and a torn fascia in his foot. "He's as courageous and as tough a player as I've ever been around," head coach Sean Payton said, via The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Brees' injuries likely played a part in his struggles pushing the ball downfield, and he threw three interceptions in what will be the final game of his storied career in the Divisional Round loss to the Buccaneers. He has yet to make his retirement official, but it's expected to come eventually, especially after playing through other injuries that we didn't know about. If this is the end, Brees will go down in NFL history as one of the greatest to ever play the position.