Saints add depth at two key positions but fans aren’t satisfied

The New Orleans Saints aren’t having an explosive free agency, but they have been adding depth at key positions. They started things off by signing former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay. Gay will likely be a key piece for a Saints defense that’s hoping to improve next season. While providing depth, the versatile linebacker will also compete with Pete Werner for snaps.

On Thursday, the Saints made a couple of more signings that addressed the depth of the roster. The first signing was for veteran quarterback Nathan Peterman. With Jameis Winston moving on to the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans needed a veteran reserve to back up Derek Carr. The second signing was for wide receiver Cedrick Wilson to a two-year deal. With Michael Thomas leaving town, the receiver room needed addressed.

Saints sign Nathan Peterman and Cedrick Wilson

Needless to say, New Orleans fans weren’t necessarily thrilled about these signings. Well, there was a general sense of indifference regarding Cedrick Wilson. Entering his sixth season in the NFL, Wilson played three years with the Dallas Cowboys and the last two seasons with the Miami Dolphins. In his five seasons, he has 101 total catches for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’ll clearly be a depth receiver behind Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and A.T. Perry. That’s fine.

Most of the vitriol was targeted towards the Peterman signing. For starters, there’s a significant vibe drop off going from Jameis Winston to Nathan Peterman. There’s also a significant football drop off, which is the important part. Peterman has been in the NFL since 2017, playing for the Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, and Chicago Bears.

While he’s always been a backup in the league, his on-field production is filled with lowlights. Playing in 15 games, starting five, Nathan Peterman has a 53.1 completion percentage for 712 yards, four touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Additionally, teams are 1-4 in the five games he started.

Typically, a backup quarterback should be able to keep a team afloat if they have to start, with the ability to give the team a chance to win. There’s not much confidence that Nathan Peterman can do that for the Saints. However, New Orleans does also have Jake Haener, who will likely compete with Peterman for the QB2 spot.

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