Jameis Winston will be back as the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, however, that almost did not happen because of the team’s pursuit of another dynamic quarterback. The Saints were a finalist to acquire Deshaun Watson, who chose the Cleveland Browns over three NFC South suitors.
Once the Saints lost out on the Watson sweepstakes, they turned their attention to Winston. Despite not being the team’s first option, Watson was okay with the team pursuing the QB.
“There were a bunch of tough conversations that I had with our coaches and with people on the business side of everything,” Winston said, via The Athletic. “And I know if their pursuit of Deshaun didn’t happen, I would not have been able to have that growth and those conversations with people in important roles.
“I’m actually thankful that everything turned out how it did because we did have to have tough conversations. We had to have conversations that probably I didn’t want to have or that they didn’t want to have. But it ended up leading to this now.”
The Saints signed Winston to a two-year deal worth $28 million, $21 million in guarantees. Winston completed 59% of his passes for 1,170 yards with 14 touchdowns to just three interceptions in seven starts last season, compiling a 102.8 passer rating. The Saints were 5-2 in his seven starts.
If Winston doesn’t tear his ACL, the Saints likely would’ve qualified for the postseason and anything could’ve happened with the way he was playing on the field.
Instead, the team missed out on the final playoff spot with a 9-8 record. With Winston playing so well and Sean Payton retiring from coaching, the franchise finally gave up on their effort to make Taysom Hill be a starting QB.
“I’m excited to have a full offseason knowing that I’m gonna be the quarterback of this team,” Winston said. “I’m happy that I don’t have to go into training camp with a question of whether or not I’m gonna be leading this team. I’m excited to get that opportunity to have the full reins, to have everything that I need. And hopefully, everyone in the building agrees with that, too.”
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