It wasn’t pretty, but the numbers suggest Derek Carr was an effective quarterback for the New Orleans Saints in 2023. He at least was efficient when asked to drop back and pass. And once he settled into the offense, he was downright impressive. No quarterback threw more touchdown passes in the final month of the season than Carr.
With the regular season behind us, we’ve taken a look at all 32 quarterbacks who started the most games for their teams and ranked them by passer rating. Here’s how Carr stacks up against his competition around the league:
32. Bryce Young (CAR) - 73.7 (16 games)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 10: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on December 10, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
31. Mac Jones (NE) - 77.0 (11 games)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 08: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots runs a ball during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
30. Zach Wilson (NYJ) - 77.2 (12 games)
Dec 12, 2021; East Rutherford, N.J.,USA;New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) drops back to pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
29. Sam Howell (WAS) - 78.9 (17 games)
Jan 8, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) celebrates with Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) after connecting on a long pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
28. Kenny Pickett (PIT) - 81.4 (12 games)
Oct 30, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
27. Desmond Ridder (ATL) - 83.4 (15 games)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 26: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Atlanta Falcons passes the ball in the first quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
26. Aidan O'Connell (LVR) - 83.9 (11 games)
Dec 14, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell (4) warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
25. Will Levis (TEN) - 84.2 (9 games)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 29: Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans hands the ball to Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Nissan Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
24. Deshaun Watson (CLE) - 84.3 (6 games)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 24: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
23. Gardner Minshew (IND) - 84.6 (17 games)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 29: Gardner Minshew #10 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
22. Justin Fields (CIN) - 86.3 (13 games)
Dec 24, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) drops back to pass against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
21. Trevor Lawrence (JAX) - 88.5 (16 games)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) yells after wide receiver Christian Kirk (13), not shown, caught a pass for a touchdown score during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Indianapolis Colts 37-20. Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK
20. Jalen Hurts (PHI) - 89.1 (17 games)
Nov 21, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) calls a play against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
19. Tommy DeVito (NYG) - 89.2 (9 games)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Tommy DeVito #15 of the New York Giants calls a play in the huddle during warm ups against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on November 19, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
18. Kyler Murray (ARI) - 89.4 (8 games)
Dec 3, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) passes the ball to tight end Trey McBride (85) against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
17. Joe Burrow (CIN) - 91.0 (10 games)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 16: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on October 16, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
16. Geno Smith (SEA) - 92.1 (15 games)
Aug 29, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass against the Oakland Raiders during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
15. Josh Allen (BUF) - 92.2 (17 games)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills looks on before a snap in the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Giants at Highmark Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
14. Matthew Stafford (LAR) - 92.5 (15 games)
Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
13. Patrick Mahomes (KC) - 92.6 (16 games)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 19: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts with teammates Eric Fisher #72 and Mitchell Schwartz #71 after a fourth quarter touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
12. Justin Herbert (LAC) - 93.2 (13 games)
Oct 22, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
11. Baker Mayfield (TB) - 94.6 (17 games)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 31: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
10. Jordan Love (GB) - 96.1 (17 games)
Sep 24, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) looks around on the field following the game against the New Orleans Saintss at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
9. Derek Carr (NO) - 97.7 (17 games)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 07: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates in the first half at Caesars Superdome on January 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
8. Jared Goff (DET) - 97.9 (17 games)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 03: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions walks across the field at halftime against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome on December 03, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
7. Russell Wilson (DEN) - 98.0 (15 games)
Dec 3, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) jogs off the field after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
6. C.J. Stroud (HOU) - 100.8 (15 games)
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws the ball during warmups before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
5. Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) - 101.1 (17 games)
Nov 19, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) attempts a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
4. Lamar Jackson (BAL) - 102.7 (16 games)
Aug 14, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
3. Kirk Cousins (MIN) - 103.8 (8 games)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 29: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings takes to the field prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 29, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
2. Dak Prescott (DAL) - 105.9 (17 games)
Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
1. Brock Purdy (SF) - 113.0 (16 games)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers signals for a first down during the third quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Levi’s Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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