NFC South Breaks 50-Year-Old Streak After New Orleans Saints Sign Quarterback Derek Carr

LINK
The division, which is home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons, was by far the worst in the NFL.

Tampa Bay won the division crown with a sub-.500 (8-9) record, while Carolina, New Orleans and Atlanta all went 7-10.

But recent history tells us that the division isn’t actually that bad. In fact, all four teams have appeared in the Super Bowl since 2009. No other division in football can say that.
So it makes sense, especially as long-time stars such as Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Matt Ryan leave, that the division would face a bit of a reset.
When you add in the fact that Bucs quarterback Tom Brady retired (or, maybe not?) following the 2022 season, you’re looking at a pretty serious hard reset for the division.

But just how drastic are the changes?

Well, the NFC South is set to become the first division since 1973 to see all four Week 1 starting quarterbacks replaced following a season, per Elias Sports Bureau.

The Bucs must replace Brady after his retirement. The Panthers traded Baker Mayfield was cut and signed with the Rams mid-way through the season. Marcus Mariota up and quit the Falcons mid-way through the season before being released. And the Saints replaced Jameis Winston with the recent signing of free agent Derek Carr.

Perhaps the funniest part of all the shuffling is that only New Orleans can claim it’s made a marked improvement. Tampa Bay appears to have no plan at quarterback. Carolina is pinning its hopes on 2022 third-round pick Matt Corral, while Atlanta does the same with Desmond Ridder.

The NFC South is likely to be very, very bad again in 2023. But at least it won’t lack for intrigue this time around.

Matt Corrall or Desmond Ridder. That's pretty bleak.

and the loud minority is pissed we have the best QB in the division surrounded by offensive talent.

quote:

---

A very weak QB draft.

---

That was last year, while no “generational can’t miss” Elway type there’s 4 that have the potential to be good and will go in the top 10.

Advertisement

I am just happy that we won't be the fanbase that has to hope that Anthony Richardson figures out how to be accurate and read a basic defense.

This is such a stupid stat. Divisions change, and some divisions used to have more than 4 teams.

I believe you may have misinterpreted me, or perhaps I misspoke.

My intent was that as recently as 20 seasons ago, there were divisions with 5 teams. Now I’m no mathematician, but I’d bet the odds of all 5 teams changing QB’s would be astronomical. So this stat is misleading at best.