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Taysom Hill. Tom Savage. JT Barrett.
The back-up QB behind Drew Brees is far from set in stone in New Orleans. Even still, the Saints have been known to carry 3 QBs at times with uncertainty hanging over which of the two back-ups would get the first chance if Brees were to miss time.
Savage still looks to be a front-runner for the job after signing a one-year $1.5 million dollar contract to come to New Orleans from Houston early in free agency. Still, when Bleacher Report named each NFL team’s player in biggest need of a strong 2018, it was Tom Savage who got the nod:
There was a time when it appeared Tom Savage might become a legitimate starting option at the NFL level. The Texans selected the former Pitt standout in the fourth round in 2014, and after missing the 2015 season due to a shoulder injury, he made his first two pro starts in 2016.
Savage produced a solid 80.9 passer rating that year and was named Houston’s starting quarterback ahead of the 2017 season. However, he lasted just two quarters before being replaced by rookie first-round pick Deshaun Watson.
”I’m just going to state the obvious: There’s some things he can do that I can’t do,” Savage said of Watson, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com.
This was very obvious, as Houston’s offense took a major hit after Watson suffered a torn ACL and Savage was reinserted into the lineup. Savage ended up with seven starts, just five touchdown passes and 13 total turnovers. Houston won just one game after Watson went down.
Savage is now the backup to New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. While he has enough to be a capable backup, Saints fans will be extremely disappointed if Savage is forced onto the field.
The last line there goes without saying. If Savage is forced onto the field, Saints will will be disappointed - not because of Savage necessary, but because of what that means for Drew Brees.
Savage has failed to impress in limited opportunities with the Texans, but he’s only 28 years old and could still prove to be a quality starter in the NFL.