Why the Saints signing quarterback Nathan Peterman actually makes perfect sense

The general sentiment regarding the New Orleans Saints signing quarterback Nathan Peterman is that it's an underwhelming move. The eighth-year quarterback has never thrown for more than two touchdowns in a single season and is infamous for gift-wrapping interceptions for opposing defenses. After all, he threw five interceptions in the first half of his first start against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 11 of his rookie year with the Buffalo Bills.

So, why did the Saints sign Nathan Peterman?

The Saints didn't sign him to be a spot-starter for an oft-injured signal caller; they signed him to bridge the gap between entrenched starter Derek Carr and new quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko.

Both Janocko and Peterman spent the last two seasons together in Chicago, where they've had time to develop a rapport. After getting one start as Justin Fields' backup in 2022, the Bears added undrafted revelation Tyson Bagent as their backup. Peterman subsequently was moved to the third string and became more an extension of the coaching staff than a plug-and-play backup.

Peterman and Janocko played a crucial part in the growth of Fields over the last two seasons and Bagent in his rookie year, with the quarterback serving as his right-hand man on the inside.

How can Nathan Peterman help Derek Carr?

With a new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach comes a change in scheme. This means that Derek Carr will be thrust into a second different offense in as many years as the lead signal-caller for the Saints, and the reads he will need to make are going to change.

Peterman — now a seasoned veteran with only three fewer years under his belt than Carr — will continue to provide a quarterback's view on Janocko's coaching and translate those things to Carr. His role holding the clipboard will, once again, be more an extension of the offensive coaching staff than anything else. A quarterback's eyes on the sidelines will help Janocko and Carr stay on the same page.

These effects aren't limited to just Carr, either; Taysom Hill will get a better understanding of how he'll be used, and second-year guy Jake Haener will now have support from three different angles. The whole quarterback room will be in a better position for having Peterman suit up in black and gold.

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