The New Orleans Saints’ 2024 to-do list is looking very manageable after extensions with Cesar Ruiz and Carl Granderson took two of their most important free agents off the board. With those two young players signed for the foreseeable future (along with team captain Cameron Jordan), team decision-makers will be able to focus on upgrading the roster rather than retaining talent.
But it all hinges on Derek Carr. The veteran quarterback has shown some good things (and some vulnerabilities) through his first couple of starts. Everything about the plan general manager Mickey Loomis and his top assistants Khai Harley and Jeff Ireland have drawn up relies on Carr fielding a playoffs-ready offense. If the Saints can reach the postseason with Carr putting points on the board, the plan ahead is crystal-clear.
So what does the future hold for the Saints? Here are the hurdles in front of them in 2024: