Context:

The New Orleans Saints, under new head coach Kellen Moore, are expected to boost their offensive capabilities due to Moore's successful track record with quarterbacks and offensive units. Despite possessing talents like Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave, the Saints face challenges at the quarterback position, with Derek Carr suffering a shoulder injury that might sideline him for the 2025 season, leading to the drafting of Tyler Shough to compete for the starting role. The team also requires significant defensive improvements, having finished the 2024 season with the 30th overall defense. To address this, there is speculation about a potential trade for Cowboys All-Pro cornerback Daron Bland to fill the gap left by Marshon Lattimore's departure. Anthony Palacios suggests Bland would be a favorable fit in a revamped Saints defense, alongside newly signed safety Justin Reid.

Dive Deeper:

• Kellen Moore, known for his expertise with quarterbacks and offensive strategies, takes over as head coach of the New Orleans Saints, promising a potential boost in offensive performance despite the challenges faced in transitioning under new leadership.

• Derek Carr, the Saints' quarterback, is facing a potential season-long sideline due to a shoulder injury, which is significant given his already below-average performance since joining from the Raiders. The Saints have adjusted Carr's contract for cap space, yet his injury adds uncertainty to his future role.

• The Saints have proactively addressed their quarterback concerns by drafting Tyler Shough from Louisville, who will compete with Spencer Rattler for the starting quarterback position, aiming to stabilize the team's offensive lineup in Carr's potential absence.

• Defensively, the Saints concluded the 2024 season poorly, ranking 30th in the NFL, and are in dire need of improvement, particularly in the cornerback position after trading Marshon Lattimore to the Commanders midseason.

• Speculation surrounds a possible trade for Dallas Cowboys' All-Pro cornerback Daron Bland, who could fill the void in the Saints' secondary and complement the offseason signing of safety Justin Reid, thereby strengthening their defensive framework.

• Sean Labar, an experienced NFL and college football reporter, provides insights into the Saints' strategic moves and the potential impact of these changes, highlighting his background in sports journalism and his personal connection to the sport.

• The New Orleans Saints are heading into 2025 with a brand new regime under first-year head coach Kellen Moore. 

• Moore has an impressive track record when it comes to working with quarterbacks and putting together top 10 offensive units in the NFL, so while it may take some time, it’s fair to assume the Saints will get a major boost on offense under his leadership. 

• While the quarterback position will be debated all offseason, the Saints roster has a few impressive offensive weapons in place that Moore can utilize in year one. 

• Alvin Kamara is still one of the best running backs in the NFL, while Chris Olave has flashed true No. 1 WR potential. 

• Just before the NFL Draft, it was reported that Derek Carr has a shoulder injury that could sideline him for the entire 2025 season. The Saints brass had already tweaked Carr’s contract to free up cap space, but he’s owed a huge chunk of cash from the organization this season. 

• Carr — who has been below average as the starting QB since joining the Saints from the Raiders — initially stayed quiet about the injury but decided to finally confirm it was true. 

• Even if he was healthy, it wasn’t a sure thing Carr would be starting for the Saints at QB in 2025, so it’s no surprise New Orleans selected a quarterback in the second round of the NFL Draft.

• They went with Louisville QB Tyler Shough, and as it stands, he will likely be competing with second-year QB Spencer Rattler for the starting job in 2025. 

• But if the Saints are going to make major strides, they need significant improvement on defense as well. They finished 2024 with the No. 30 overall defense in the NFL, allowing 379.9 yards per game. 

• Last year midseason, the Saints traded away their top corner, Marshon Lattimore, to the Commanders. 

• With a void at cornerback, Anthony Palacios of Last Word on Sports predicts the Saints may trade for Cowboys All-Pro CB Daron Bland: 

• The Saints have yet to find their next long-term starter for their cornerback unit. Kool-Aid McKinstry is a “lock” to be a starter, but they can’t depend on Alontae Taylor to do much. Bland might take a few seasons to adjust, but he’s easily the favorable man in this situation to fit into what the Saints built this offseason when it came to the safety department after signing Justin Reid.