Jaxson Dart as Backup QB for the Saints?
If you interviewed true fans of the New Orleans Saints and asked each of them to sum up the quarterback situation for their team in one word, you would likely hear “chaotic” in addition to “frustrating” and “unpredictable.” Since the departure of future member of the NFL Hall of Fame QB Drew Brees, the team has struggled to find a continuous-season replacement. Jameis Winston went from backup to main quarterback for the 2021 season, Andy Dalton was brought in 2022, and Derek Carr was signed in 2023 and is listed as the team’s current quarterback. After Week Five of the 2024 season resulted in a 26-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, it was considered by head coach Dennis Allen to bring in Spencer Rattler to take over the position after Carr’s poor performance during that game. Carr’s injuries throughout the season would cause him to miss seven games, and in Week 14, his season ended due to broken bones in his non-throwing hand. Rattler had to step in the following, which provided him with the opportunity to demonstrate his skills throughout the remaining season. Even with the players on his offense, his stats for those six games ending in losses as starting quarterback were four passing touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 57 percent completion rate.
To resolve this frustration, I will again endorse parting with Derek Carr and replacing him with Mr. Taysom Hill as quarterback for this upcoming season. This article I wrote several weeks ago not only includes reasons to keep him on the team regardless of position but also suggests why he should “inherit” the captain and quarterback role. If he is offered and does accept the responsibility, who should be entrusted to become his backup? Many names have been mentioned around the league, including players already experienced playing in the NFL who are free agents or were deliberately let go by their teams at the conclusion of the season. There are some names at the college level that have been brought up, with one of those being Jaxson Dart.
Mr. Dart started at USC, where he played his freshman year. Following the replacement of their coach, who brought his own quarterback, Jaxson transferred to Ole Miss, where he remained for three consecutive seasons, playing all 39 games as quarterback. Within those 39 games, he made 72 passing touchdowns, had a completion rate of 65.7 percent, and threw only 22 interceptions. During their most recent season, his final season with the Rebels was his best among the other three, with 4,279 yards gained by passing, 29 passing touchdowns, a 69.3 percent completion rate, and throwing only six interceptions. Given these stats, it’s likely he will be sought after by many teams looking for youth and energy to reinvigorate their team and fan base. If Dart is given the choice to continue to demonstrate his on-field talent, even as their backup to Taysom Hill and eventual future-starting QB, he should take the obvious option of remaining in the South and becoming a New Orleans Saint.
