While waiting for Drew Brees to announce his future intentions, the New Orleans Saints must prepare as if the future Hall of Famer will walk away and leave an opening in the QB position.
Taysom Hill remains under contract, but the Saints are likely to add a more traditional veteran striker as well.
Jameis Winston could be a high priority for New Orleans, given his one-year experience with Sean Payton as backup for Brees.
Payton joined the NFL Network Good morning football Wednesday and briefly talked about Winston’s talent and his experience in the system.
“We had a great exposure with Jameis Winston for one year,” Payton said. “We did not have a normal off-season, but we had enough time to see what we had as a player, as a leader, as an athlete. I really like what we had the chance to see. He was.” a great leader for this team, and it’s hard to do if your first year as a backup will turn a new agency into a free agency.
‘Many times you want to keep your cards closer to the vest, and he’s a free agent, but he and Taysom Hill, who’s in the building, we’re been saying all along, we’re going to coach those guys. Jameis is one of the guys we are very interested in. ‘
This is a similar refrain from Payton when we discuss the entire QB room of Winston and the Saints.
Saints coach NFL Network’s Jim Trotter and Steve Wyche said Huddle & Flow Podcast mid-December that Winston is a QB from the starting point and would have the chance to win the starting line ‘as soon as Drew leaves’. Payton remarked at the time that he believed the Saints’ next QB was’ in the building ‘.
Winston signed a $ 1.1 million one-year contract with the Saints last year out of season.
Clearly, Payton respects Winston’s talent and will not bother to bring back the 27-year-old QB. Cost will obviously play a role for the persistent Saints, but New Orleans may also represent Winston’s best chance of redemption.