By Ross Jackson
Quarterback has been among the hottest topics for the New Orleans Saints’ roster this offseason and the conversations don’t look to be subsiding any time soon. The latest signal caller discourse now centers around Miami passer Cam Ward.
The quarterback is expected to be the first name called at his position by either the Tennessee Titans or Cleveland Browns, who sit at No. 1 and No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft next month. But for Ward, the idea of playing for another team sounds like it would be a dream come true.
WDSU’s Sharief Ishaq shared Ward’s comments on his Combine meeting with the Saints, which have set ablaze NFL Draft rumor mills. The comments were made while Ward was in New Orleans receiving the Manning Award which is presented annually by the Sugar Bowl Committee to the best quarterback in the country.
“It was a great meeting with them,” Ward said. “The Saints, they were one of my favorite teams growing up when I was little. I loved watching Drew Brees and (Marques) Colston out there. So, it would be a dream to play for them, if I get a chance someday.”
Ward was also very complimentary of Saints head coach Kellen Moore, who would have to make quite the leap in order to get from No. 9 to a top-two selection in this year’s draft.
The Saints have been connected to just about every top quarterback this offseason. Rumors that the team might be interested in Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart in the first round continue to swirl. Meanwhile, talks around a fall for Colorado passer Shedeur Sanders have also drummed up debate. Now, enter Ward into the conversation.
As we’ve outlined before, a trade up to grab either Sanders or Ward would be unlikely for the Saints, who haven’t drafted a quarterback in the first round since Archie Manning in 1971. New Orleans has already sealed its near future with quarterback Derek Carr, after restructuring his contract and bolstering his dead cap hit of more than $80 million in 2025.
However, though it hasn’t been the Saints’ typical manner of approach to take such a risk, things could be different with a new coaching staff in place. Carr is set for 2025, but after that currently remains a mystery, unless the new staff feels great about last year’s draft selection at the position in Spencer Rattler. Anything can happen in the NFL, but this one sure feels a bit implausible.
Come April, we’ll know for sure. Ward’s dream of playing with the Saints could see a stark switch to reality if New Orleans is ready to make a massive investment at quarterback.
