Saints Finalizing Deal With Jameis Winston

It’s Sunday after the NFL Draft and Jameis Winston found a new home. The New Orleans Saints are signing the former number one overall pick from Florida State to a one year contract. I can’t help but think this jab towards Tampa Bay makes this that much sweeter. Winston stays in the division but signs with the Saints.

Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports was the first to report the news:

Sources tell Yahoo Sports the #Saints are finalizing a 1-year deal with free agent QB Jameis Winston. New Orleans hopes to continue maximizing Taysom Hill's versatility on gameday while mitigating some risk in exposing Drew Brees' backup to injury.

Story: https://t.co/srblaQWfhI pic.twitter.com/D2jNWL2446

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) April 26, 2020

“The deal is expected to be completed quickly now that the NFL draft has wrapped, bringing Winston’s surprisingly long free agency trek to an end. Sources told Yahoo Sports that Winston’s 2020 salary will be very economical, fitting inside the Saints’ already tight salary cap for next season.

As for his role, the sources told Yahoo Sports that Winston’s signing won’t guarantee him the backup job behind starter Drew Brees. Instead, the best case scenario for Winston may ultimately be competing for the No. 2 quarterback spot with Taysom Hill, who the Saints retained this offseason via a first-round tender offer, suggesting he will have an opportunity to be the heir apparent to Brees as soon as 2021. New Orleans also added a quarterback in the seventh round of the draft on Saturday, selecting Mississippi State’s athletic signal-caller Tommy Stevens.”

I love this move for both sides. For New Orleans, this is terrific. You’re essentially replacing Teddy Bridgewater with Jameis Winston. New Orleans just got two fantastic years out of backup quarterback play from Bridgewater. They now hand the reigns to someone uber talented like Winston and aren’t paying buckets of cash to do so. Winston adds high level talent to the QB room. Worst case, they let Taysom Hill be the number two. No harm, no foul.

Jameis Winston Isn’t That Bad

For Winston, this is perfect. It gives him a chance to reset. How do I keep the high level production while learning to better protect the ball. Winston really has never been in a high learning environment. Sean Payton and Drew Brees gives him that. Who knows, Winston could very well be the guy in 2021 with this Saints team and Sean Payton. This was a smart landing spot.