The history of the New Orleans Saints’ quarterback play has been dominated by Drew Brees, who holds every record of any note. The first few years of this franchise weren’t always very rosy, as there was a lot of losing backed up by substandard play from under center (and everywhere else, for that matter).

Luckily, New Orleans started to turn things around as they entered a more modern era. Even before No. 9 came to town, the Saints were often able to get some competent quarterback play that ended up with a postseason nod a handful of times. Of course, they needed a megastar to take them over the top.

In the always wild and wonderful history of the franchise, these 10 quarterbacks emerged from the muck and proved they were more than just part of the common rabble.

Criteria for selection

These quarterbacks were chosen based on a combination of:

• Statistical Achievements
• Impact on Success
• Longevity
• Memorable Moments

The top 10 quarterbacks in New Orleans Saints history

10. Ken Stabler

By the time Stabler came to New Orleans, he had a beard as white as Santa Claus and a body that was breaking down due to the injuries he sustained in his tremendous playing career. He was only able to win games with the Saints on theback of veteran accuracy and guile despite subpar parts around him.

Stabler was able to get the Saints at or near .500 on multiple occasions, which was a rarity back in the formative years of this franchise. Ultimately, his 33 interceptions in two seasons proved to be too much to overcome, and his brief highs were not enough to break New Orleans’ playoff curse.

9. Steve Walsh

Originally acquired from the Cowboys after they committed to Troy Aikman, Walsh’s first season with the Saints had some wondering if Dallas made a mistake. Walsh went 6-5 and led the Saints to the postseason for just the second time in franchise history. Did New Orleans have a franchise quarterback on their hands?

Well, not really. Walsh was only acquired due to starter Bobby Hebert’s contract dispute, and he went right back to a reserve role when Hebert returned to the team. Walsh put up 13 extra touchdowns in nine starts over the next few seasons before beginning one of many stints as a rent-a-quarterback backup with the Bears.

8. Derek Carr

Even after just one season, and a year that saw many Saints fans bitterly disappointed with their inability to win the easiest division crown in the NFL, Carr put himself in the New Orleans’ Top 10 all-time for both passing yards (3,878) and touchdown passes (25 against just eight interceptions). After a tough start, Carr started to flash near the end of the year.

Carr remains one of the more interesting quarterbacks to evaluate in recent NFL history. While he has never won a playoff game and only led a team to the postseason twice, his key numbers are consistently in the top-half when compared to the rest of the league.

With a few more years left on his deal, New Orleans fans are hoping that another year of familiarity with the team’s offense and culture will be what they need to make it back to the postseason. Talent and mental acumen have never been in doubt for Carr.

7. Dave Wilson

Wilson is one of the greatest “what-ifs” in Saints history. Originally picked in the 1981 supplemental draft to be the successor to Archie Manning, Wilson tore his meniscus in 1982 and missed the season. While he had some professional success after the injury, he never regained the mobility he showed in college at Ohio State.

Wilson finished his career with 36 touchdown passes and just under 7,000 passing yards spread over most of the 80s. While there were some moments of quality play spliced into his down years, many wonder what would have happened if Wilson

6. Billy Kilmer

Drafted by the Saints in the 1967 expansion draft, Kilmer was the first long-term starter in New Orleans history. Unfortunately, like so many other Saints players of that era, Kilmer would become a star…after leaving and game-managing Washington to an appearance in Super Bowl VII.

Highlights of his time include throwing 35 touchdown passes in 1968 and 1969 despite playing for two losing teams and throwing an ugly, wobbly ball. Kilmer could have turned the Saints around, but they were more interested in turning the page and taking Archie Manning.

5. Jim Everett

Everett spent most of his career with the Rams, recording more passing yards than multiple Hall of Fame players. After his time in Los Angeles ended. Everett put together one of the best three-season stints of quarterback play in New Orleans history.

Everett threw for a hair under 4,000 yards in consecutive seasons in 1995 and 1996, throwing 48 touchdowns in that span. After two 7-9 seasons, Everett started to fall apart in a disaster of a 1997 campaign. The end was sour, as is often the case in New Orleans, but the prime was splendid.

4. Aaron Brooks

Brooks was the first quarterback to win a playoff game for the Saints and the first Day 3 passer who developed into a solid player for New Orleans. An athletic 6-4 gunslinger with a big arm, Brooks threw 98 touchdown passes in 64 games between 2001 and 2004 with a minuscule 2.8% interception percentage.

Brooks’ star fell quickly, as he was benched in 2005 and out of football after a nightmare 2006 season with the Raiders. The success was fleeting, but Brooks can take solace in the fact he was one of the best pre-Brees quarterbacks in Saints history and the first ever player to take them deep into the playoffs.

3. Bobby Hebert

The Louisiana-born Hebert flies under the radar sometimes, as the iconic “Dome Patrol” linebacking corps of the defense-first late-80s Saints were the engine that helped the franchise make the playoffs for the first time. While he wasn’t the primary reason for their success, Hebert had his moments.

Hebert went 46-20 between 1987 and 1992, averaging over 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns in a 17-game pace. Hebert never won a playoff game with the Saints, but they couldn’t have gotten there without his dynamic arm and gutsy play when the chips were down.

2. Archie Manning

Haters will look at Peyton and Eli’s dad’s 35-101 record as a starter and declare him a poor player. That overlooks an exceptional player beset by some chaos around him by shoddy roster construction.

The two times Manning had solid rosters around him (1978 and 1979), he was named a Pro Bowler in each season and got New Orleans within inches of the postseason. Before Brees came along, Manning owned almost every Saints passing record.

If he had Brees’ offensive line, coaching stability, and perimeter talent, Manning would have been the first quarterback to lead the Saints to postseason glory.

1. Drew Brees

Wow, what a shocker. Brees is the best player in franchise history, one of the top ten (at worst) best quarterbacks in NFL history, and the owner of comically impressive stats. In terms of accuracy, consistency, and productivity, few ever can run with Brees.

Brees retired with the all-time records in passing yards and passing touchdowns, and his completion percentage mark was usurped by Joe Burrow, who just barely made the minimum qualifications. The 13-time Pro Bowler led the NFL in passing yards seven times (including a record five 5,000-yard seasons), completion percentage six times (he topped 70% seven times), and touchdown passes four times.

Brees’ greatest accomplishment will always be what happened in 2009, as he ended the Saints’ historical losing ways by winning a Super Bowl against Peyton Manning in grand style. Brees will always be the GOAT among Saints players, as no one player had a greater impact on this franchise.