Saints Have 1 Clear Favorite At Starting Quarterback
 

As I have been saying all along, Winston is the ONLY logical choice to start.

Saints Have 1 Clear Favorite At Starting Quarterback

The New Orleans Saints will have an interesting decision to make at the quarterback position in 2021. With Drew Brees retired, New Orleans has an unclear picture at starting quarterback ahead of the upcoming season.

The betting odds suggest there’s one clear favorite, though.

Jameis Winston, who spent the 2020 season as the backup in New Orleans, is the clear favorite to take over at starting quarterback in 2021.

Pro Football Talk had the full odds, from Draft Kings:

Winston spent most of his career as the starting quarterback in Tampa Bay. However, the former No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick was ousted from the Buccaneers when Tom Brady arrived last year.

Now, Winston will look to take over in New Orleans.

Sean Payton has made it clear that he wants a true starting quarterback, and not a two-QB system.

“I think the furthest we went with that would’ve been when everyone was healthy and Taysom was playing, call it maybe eight to 10 plays at quarterback. I would never discount that,” Payton said. “But I would say this, he knows and so does Jameis, that we’re looking to find a guy that’s going to lead our team this year.”

“And that doesn’t mean the other guy is not going to have a role. But certainly, it varies. If Jameis is starting, obviously Taysom has a role that expands not only just offensively, but on special teams, etc. And if it’s the other way around, it’s probably a little bit more limited just relative to what Jameis would do.”

The Saints are set to open the 2021 season on Sunday, Sept. 12 against the Packers.

Re: Saints Have 1 Clear Favorite At Starting Quarterback
 

I hate it as a Saints fan but I think he is the starter. We will draft early next year. Probably a quarterback unless Book surpasses JW during the season. I also see Michael Thomas requesting a trade. Without drew throwing on point he’s not going to be happy

Re: Saints Have 1 Clear Favorite At Starting Quarterback
 

Mike Evans never seemed to suffer with Jameis at QB.

Re: Saints Have 1 Clear Favorite At Starting Quarterback
 

So, what you are saying is that you don't trust CSP. Unlike his previous coaches, CSP is going to design a playbook that maximizes the potential of the player and minimizes the risk. And specifically, as both Brees and Winston have stated, the QB gets input into the game plan, incorporating plays that both feel are the most effective and makes them the QB the most comfortable.

The biggest difference is that Winston will no longer have to play hero ball all the time. With a solid run game and a decent defense, he'll have the opportunity to be a distributor most of the time.

SFIAH

Re: Saints Have 1 Clear Favorite At Starting Quarterback
 

I hate to make this comparison, but it reminds me of the whole Bobby Hebert/Steve Walsh situation the Saints had some years back. They told Steve Walsh it was an open competition, but they new all along it was going to be Hebert.

I think they know it will be Winston, but they are telling Hill it's a competition to make him happy. And to make the preseason more competitive.

Re: Saints Have 1 Clear Favorite At Starting Quarterback
 

It would be stupid to start Hill over Winston. Even if Hill was a slightly better QB the TEAM would still be better with a lesser Qb under center and Hill in his jack of all trades role.

Re: Saints Have 1 Clear Favorite At Starting Quarterback
 

Although I kind of agree with that, if Hill is the #2, are they gonna keep Book on the active roster as the other QB? Basically keeping 3 on like they done in the past.

I like Hill. Love the willingness to do whatever it takes to get on the field. I've not known a QB in recent memory that was willing to work on the punt team or go punish LBs. It's the reason I root for him so much. He's very humble. And in today's world of sports, there aren't many humble pro players. That's why he's one of my favorite players in all of sports. He is the only reason I actually watched last year. I just wanted to see him play.

I still hope he trains his ass off here in Idaho and goes back to NOLA and becomes the starter. If not, I would hate to see him riding the pine as the #2 and not used in all the other ways he's so beneficial to the team.

Re: Saints Have 1 Clear Favorite At Starting Quarterback
 

I agree with your “worries” about him not playing if he’s the backup jn. But they are paying him enough money that I don’t see him being wasted riding the pine. Payton will make sure they get their money’s worth out of him.

Re: Saints Have 1 Clear Favorite At Starting Quarterback
 

Once Payton, the coaches and rest of us get to see Book during training camp/preseason, it's going to get harder to resist getting him some playing time or starts this season. He has an ability to manage an offense and extend plays that I think Hill and Winston both lack. Winston's the superior passer, Hill the superior runner, and Book the best all-around QB - once he's ready.

Re: Saints Have 1 Clear Favorite At Starting Quarterback
 

Hill will not be the backup. It will be the same setup as the past two seasons with Winston as the starter (ala Brees), Book as the game day backup (ala Bridgewater and Winston), and Hill as the utility player/#2 starter in case of extended injury. Hill is too valuable to leave off the field and too valuable to simply play solely game manager at QB. Winston has already embraced that role publicly.