Sean Payton names Jameis Winston as Saints starter for Monday night

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton named Jameis Winston the starter for Monday night’s preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Winston continues to battle Taysom Hill for the starting job following the retirement of Drew Brees this offseason.

Former gadget-player and special teamer Hill started Week 1 of the preseason against the Baltimore Ravens. Hill took an unconventional path to NFL stardom. He went undrafted out of BYU before joining the Saints as a 27-year-old rookie gunner and upback. Hill has been utilized more each season under Payton and plays snaps at several positions.

Winston is the more accomplished quarterback, going No. 1 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft before starting five seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jameis Winston joined the Saints last year, hoping to revitalize his career as Brees’ backup.

Quarterback battle in New Orleans

Winston’s role as starter is not a guarantee. Hill entered the league as an undrafted free agent, and eventually was claimed off waivers by the Saints. Since joining the team he has done anything they need of him playing special teams, returning kicks, running the ball, and even catching passes for touchdowns.

Head coach Sean Payton isn’t ruling out the option of using both Winston and Hill at the quarterback position. In a post-practice press conference on July 31, he told reporters that the duo were working well together.

“They’ve both (Winston and Hill) had really good camps and have had some really nice throws. Both have put a ton of time in and been fantastic together,” stated Payton via the Saints’ website.

Part of bringing in Winston to be their quarterback is the criticism levied at his turnover rates. Payton is aware of these issues, and they are certain to be working on this throughout training camp as they prepare for the season.

“Both of those guys (Winston and Hill) are focused on being patient, understanding what the defense is trying to take away and playing more efficiently as a result of that,” Payton said.

Upcoming schedule

With both quarterbacks getting a chance to start, the third and final preseason game could yield a decision on who will start during week one of the regular season.

The Saints start the season at home against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. They head on the road in Week 2 to face the Carolina Panthers in an early divisional game.