The New Orleans Saints have not looked like their high-flying selves much this season. They have had their moments, like when quarterback Drew Brees threw for five touchdowns in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, they still sit in second place in the NFC South and with a losing record they are barely in the hunt for the wild card spot. This has led some to question the longevity of Brees as the quarterback of the Saints. After reports surfaced the Saints were prepping to find his replacement, the quarterback took on the media in annoyance.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported the Saints were preparing to draft a quarterback in 2015 as the potential replacement of Brees which they expected to happen sooner rather than later. Right now, the Saints just have Luke McCown as their backup option and he is on a long-term option considering the 11 years he already has in the league. A rookie will be the best way to go, but Brees is slamming the idea that he needs to be replaced immediately.
"Something like that -- I know it has absolutely no validity to it," Brees said, via The Times-Picayune. "A lot of time you can look at who's writing that stuff and you can say 'all right this guy is trying to make a splash or trying to make a name for himself,' whatever it might be. In a lot of cases I'm not sure where they get their information, if they just completely make it up or if there are sources that are their cousins."
The Saints could be preparing to go the route of the New England Patriots who drafted Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round this past year to potentially take over for Tom Brady. The Houston Texans drafted Tom Savage to eventually take over the franchise. The Saints are thinking down the road as Brees continues to look just a bit off this season.
One thing is certain, Brees' career is not over and will not be for a long time. The Saints record is overshadowing the season the quarterback is having. Yes, his numbers are lower this year, but that is partially due to the emphasis on the run game. Mark Ingram is having a career-high year. It also has to do with the lack of talent at the wide receiver position. The Saints have Jimmy Graham, but lost leader Brandin Cooks. Kenny Stills and Robert Meachem are trying to make up for it.
The Saints could aim to draft a quarterback as high as the second round like the Patriots did. Any number of players might be available. Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota will go in the first round. However, quarterbacks like Bryce Petty of Baylor, Jake Waters at Kansas State and Taylor Kelly out of Arizona State are all expected to be talented options and will be around whenever New Orleans decides to draft at the position.
