CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 18: Juwan Johnson #83 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball after making a catch Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 18, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
2023 saw the Saints fall short of a playoff appearance and the NFC South. New Orleans’s first half was inconsistent as they had weeks where they won consecutive games and then lost two in a row – they sat with a 5-5 record at week 11’s bye.
The Saints would go 4-3 the rest of the way to finish 9-8, tied with the Buccaneers for first in the division, and fell behind the Seahawks and Packers for the seventh seed. Derek Carr finished his first season in the Big Easy by throwing for 3,878 yards while tossing 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
The Saints signed ex-49er Chase Young to a one-year contract worth $13 million to take the load off veteran Cameron Jordan and complement Carl Granderson. Though the deal is team friendly, Young’s signing comes with risks as critics are afraid because of the team’s history regarding injury to defensive ends – this means that if Chase is sidelined, the Saints would need to pay $9.1 million in dead money in 2025. After Michael Thomas’ release, the Saints signed Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Stanley Morgan to rework the receiving core. Linebacker Willie Gay joined the team as a depth piece. After a Pro Bowl appearance in 2023, Rashid Shaheed signed a one-year contract to stay in New Orleans.
Oregon State Beaver Taliese Fuaga was chosen 14th with the expectation of being a starter on the offensive line due to Ryan Ramczyk’s injury issues. Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry got off the board early in round two as the Saints want him to develop alongside Marshon Lattimore as a nickel corner.
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New Orleans is again blessed – tied with the Falcons for the NFL’s easiest schedule in 2024. The toughest matchups on 2024’s slate are the Cowboys, Eagles, Chiefs and Packers. Games that can go either way include the Giants, Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, Rams and Raiders.
Despite having the league’s easiest schedule, the Saints would need to rely on Young to produce on defense and the offensive line to protect Carr. 2024 can be described as a “make or break” campaign due to key players aging and the team’s financial situation.
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