Sean Payton names starting quarterback for New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints have named their starting quarterback to open the 2021 season. Adam Schefter tweeted early on Friday morning that Jameis Winston will start for the Saints when they face off with the Green Bay Packers on opening weekend.

Jameis Winston has been named the Saints' starting quarterback and will make his first start for New Orleans on opening day vs. Green Bay Packers, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2021

Winston and Taysom Hill battled for the starting job

Winston had an impressive performance in the Saints’ second preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He completed nine of his ten pass attempts for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Winston did that in just three offensive possessions in his first start of the preseason. He had 96 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the first week of the preseason.

Despite Winston’s strong performance, Saints head coach Sean Payton did not commit to a starter at the time. Now, he has made his decision.

Taysom Hill, who has played a gadget role for a couple of years with the Saints, was Winston’s top competitor for the starting job. Hill completed eight of his 12 passes for 81 yards and an interception in the Saints’ first preseason game. He completed 11 of his 20 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville.

With Winston now being announced as the starter, Hill is likely to return to his gadget role in the offense. He can take snaps all over the field at running back, tight end, receiver, and quarterback.

Winston has had mixed results as a starter in NFL

This will not be the first time that Winston has been a starting quarterback in the NFL. After being taken first overall in 2015, Winston started for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the first five years of his career. He had an impressive 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2019, but his 30 interceptions forced the Buccaneers to move on from Winston.

In his career, Winston has completed more than 61 percent of his passes for 19,812 yards, 131 total touchdowns and 88 interceptions. Winston has thrown for at least 4,000 yards three times in his five-year career. The former Florida State Seminoles star has proven to be a capable NFL starter if he can keep his interceptions under control.

Winston was able to sit and learn behind Drew Brees last season. Now Winston gets the opportunity to show what he’s learned and that he deserves to start in the NFL. The Saints drafted Ian Book in the offseason, and he and Hill will serve as Winston’s top backups.

Behind Tampa Bay, the NFC South division is wide open. If Winston can play well at quarterback, the Saints could contend for a wildcard spot this season.