Five options from bleak 2026 QB free-agent class for Saints

By Ross Jackson

Signing a veteran, bridge quarterback is a popular path for many NFL teams that are in the midst of rebuilding or developing their rosters. A veteran passer allows the team to navigate the process of retooling and evaluating talent while providing experience and leadership. It’s the path that many believed the New Orleans Saints were going to take in 2025.

But then, former starting passer Derek Carr retired and the Saints leaned in on its young quarterback room of rookie passer Tyler Shough, second-year signal caller Spencer Rattler and third-year quarterback Jake Haener.

The team would later also add rookie quarterback Hunter Dekkers and allow their veteran leadership to come from a coaching staff that includes numerous former NFL passers along with versatile offensive weapon Taysom Hill, who has served as the veteran leader among the group on the roster. 

After passing on the conventional approach in 2025, the clock is now ticking to find out if their next passer is already in the building. If not, New Orelans may see that as an opportunity to change course. The issue is that if they decide to embrace the veteran quarterback route, their options will be very limited in the upcoming offseason. As of now, the 2026 free agent quarterback class is bleak at best.

Amidst a slew of backup quarterbacks, there are a few names that stand out as options, but none of them offer much promise. Those that could aren’t likely to arrive in New Orleans over the offseason.

Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones

From one of the most disappointing draft investments with the New York Giants to one of the best passers in the NFL with the Colts in the matter of a year, Jones will likely get a new deal to stick around in Indianapolis for the foreseeable future. With the Colts’ draft investment of former Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson having not panned out, hitting it big with the Big Apple castout is something the Colts aren’t going to take lightly.

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers

The blend of Rodgers and Saints head coach Kellen Moore was never a pairing that made sense, even when there were advocates of the team signing him during the 2025 offseason. Rodgers himself shut down the potential of heading to New Orleans on account of the weather alone. He has also recently alluded to ending his career with the Green Bay Packers, with this season expected to be a potential final year for the passer.

New York Giants QB Russell Wilson

A Super Bowl-winner like Rodgers, it’s clear that Wilson is no longer near the top of his game. He was named the starting quarterback for the Giants while New York also rostered another veteran in quarterback Jameis Winston as well as first-round rookie Jaxson Dart. His starts led him to an 0-3 record while completing just 59.1% of his passes with three touchdowns and three interceptions thrown over those starting opportunities. It’s unlikely that WIlson is going to be seen as a quarterback that can now keep a ship afloat with declining play and a regressing reputation now preceding him.

Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Flacco

He’s been a hero for a few different organizations. Flacco is set to become a free agent after this season. Flacco has led some teams in not-so-advantageous situations having been a quarterback for the Colts, Cleveland Browns and now Bengals in recent years. All of which have dealt with question marks at quarterback during his stint with them. Perhaps Flacco could be an option if the team becomes desperate for a veteran leader. However, he does turn 41-years-old next season.

Las Vegas Raiders QB Kenny Pickett

An example of one of the passers that could be an available option but doesn’t necessarily generate much optimism, Pickett at least has ties to Moore. The two overlapped with the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC East team’s Super Bowl run. This could become a popular suggestion should things not pan out with either of the Saints quarterback options, but Pickett’s lack of winning track record and NFL experience makes him a less-appealing option if the goal of landing a veteran would be to help guide a young roster.

Otherwise, they’ll have to hope that another veteran shakes loose of their situation. Should a familiar name like Winston or current Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (who is scheduled to become a free agent) become available, that could be a comfortable situation. Otherwise, watching names in limbo like San Francisco 49ers passer Mac Jones could become the path.

Best Scenario

The best scenario for New Orleans remains that either Rattler or Shough pan out. With a 1-13 record as a starter, Rattler’s opportunity to prove he can do so may be running out. New Orleans will have to be all-in on their Shough hopes should he get the chance to start next week or in the coming weeks. Otherwise, diving back into a young and underwhelming rookie quarterback class in 2026 may end up being the best course of action for the Saints.