Jameis Winston Re-Signs with Saints: ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting the New Orleans Saints have re-signed QB Jamies Winston to a one-year deal that could be worth up to $12 million.
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Jameis Winston reached agreement on a one-year deal worth up to $12 million with the Saints, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2021
Jameis Winston Re-Signs with Saints
Earlier in the week, Saints QB Drew Brees officially announced his retirement from the NFL, leaving a vacancy at the team’s quarterback position.
You can read about my thoughts on the Brees retirement here.
With Brees off to the pastures, there is an offseason quarterback battle ahead for the Saints between Winston and Taysom Hill. While Winson is credited with 70 starts in his first five seasons as a pro as a member of the Buccaneers, posting a 28-42 record with only one winning season — he led the Bucs to a 9-7 record in 2016 — he is more of a reclamation project for Sean Payton and the Saints. Albeit he may be better suited for the job, his erratic play won’t last long with Payton as his head coach.
Winston has thrown for 19,812 yards with a 121:88 TD/INT ratio in his career. Those giveaways could ultimately do him in.
With Drew Brees out of the picture, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has a decision to make between Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill. (Credit: USA TODAY Sports)
I say that Winston may be a better fit from the get-go over Hill because of the latter’s inexperience. Before last season in which he started four games while posting a 3-1 record in those starts, Hill never started an NFL game as a quarterback. In fact, entering 2020, Hill completed 6-of-13 passes for 119 yards and an interception as a passer.
Moreover, I like to reference Hill as the football’s McGuyver for a reason. He can be used as a passer, a rusher, a receiver, and on special teams. Leading up to Week 11 of last season, Hill has done it all for Payton besides being leaned upon as a QB1.
In those four starts, Hill has solid as a dual-threat signal-caller. Completing 82-of-114 passes for 834 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions, Hill proved that he can get the job done with his arm. However, Hill made a greater impact with his versatility as a rusher. In that same period, Hill rushed for 209 yards with four touchdowns on 39 attempts. He also lost 3-of-6 fumbles in those starts, finishing his run as a starter with an 8:5 total TD/TO (touchdown/ turnover) ratio.
Whether it is Winston or Hill, giveaways could be an issue.
The Saints have the option to platoon their quarterback position and run with the hot hand, similar to how the Dolphins utilized Tua Tagovailoa and Ryan Fitzpatrick last season, which resulted in a 10-6 record but just missed the playoffs.
However, that is not something we see very much in the modern-day NFL. The yesteryear platoons that were successful that include the Cowboys’ Roger Staubach and Craig Morton (1970-1971), which resulted in a Super Bowl, and Washington’s Billy Kilmer and Sonny Jurgensen (1973-1974), which resulted in a playoff run, does not translate to today’s passing league. The narrative “when you have two quarterbacks, you have none," comes to play here.
Payton has a decision to make.
Like it or not, I believe the Saints are in short-term rebuild mode. While they still have quality assets with stars mixed in, the Winston versus Hill quarterback conundrum will be their downfall in a strong NFC. If it was up to me, I would see what Winston has left. A former No. 1 overall pick from the 2015 NFL Draft, he has the tools to be great. Perhaps the change of scenery to a more competent franchise with stability at head coach — and LASIK — will bode well for a career rejuvenation.
Since he is on a one-year incentivized deal, it would be smart to see what they have in Winston now to make next offseason’s decision an easy one. They already know what they have in Hill. If Payton truly believes that Hill is Brees’ heir-apparent, we wouldn’t be having a conversation about a quarterback battle with a reclamation project.
Saints 2021 NFL Betting Outlook
Saints NFC Championship Winner (+1100)
(Odds courtesy of PointsBet)
The Saints have been one of the better teams in the NFL during the Drew Brees, Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis era. However, going all-in last season for a final Brees run at a Super Bowl left the organization in salary cap Hades.
Between shedding talent and a quarterback quandary, as I suggested above, the Saints are in short-term rebuild mode. While this is a term seemingly perennially in the Super bowl conversation, I am out on the Saints in 2020. With teams that include the Washington Football Team, the Cowboys and the Cardinals all poised to take a step up this season, the Saints could be on the outside looking into the playoff picture.
I am fading this NFL Championship wager. I expect these odds to become that much more favorable as the Saints continue to turn over their roster.
Saints NFC South Winner (+225)
(Odds courtesy of PointsBet)
- Buccaneers (-140)
- Saints (+225)
- Panthers (+800)
- Falcons (+850)
If I am out on the Saints to win the NFC Championship and make the playoffs, placing a division-winner wager is that much more irresponsible, especially since they are in the NFC South with the Buccaneers, who have retained their key free agents to make another run.
The Bucs are the only team I am willing to place a wager on to win the South.
