The New Orleans Saints have a great opportunity ahead of them in 2023. With the retirement of Tom Brady, the NFC South is there for them to take.

After fixing their salary cap woes, the Saints added some key pieces on both sides of the ball in free agency, and they followed it up with a solid draft. All signs point to an improvement on their 7-10 record from last season, but someone thinks the Saints will take a major step forward. 

Former quarterback, Ryan Leaf, who was the No.2 pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, made this proclamation on the Straight Line Podcast that he hosts earlier this week.

"The Saints, they have an over/under of nine and a half (wins) which is the most in the division. That's significant. 10 wins with Derek Carr in his first season in New Orleans, I think that'd be a huge win for them. I think they take it one further. I think they have the most wins in the NFC period next year," said Leaf. 

Go big or go home. I felt Carr was the steal of the FA market this off-season and the @Saints cashed in. Remember that Miami passed on Brees, and you’ll remember the @nyjets passed on Carr. New Orleans has the chance to rule the NFC South for the next 5 years!! @StraightLinePod pic.twitter.com/BebX4a0ZTr

— Ryan D Leaf (@RyanDLeaf) June 15, 2023

Well, that's a pretty bold statement to make. 

It's not that the Saints don't have the talent to have a turnaround from 2022. However, with teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC, and all of them expected to be extremely good in 2023, the Saints would need a lot to go right for them to land at the top of the conference.

The Saints addressed their biggest hole by acquiring Carr at quarterback. They added firepower on offense with running backs Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller, tight end Foster Moreau, and wide receiver A.T. Perry. Also, their top-five defense from a season ago got reinforcements through free agency and especially with their first two draft picks defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and edge rusher Isaiah Foskey.

So, we'll just have to see if New Orleans can put it all together to make Leaf's claim a reality.

Feature image via Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports