By BRETT MARTEL, AP Sports activities Author
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints are bringing again quarterback Jameis Winston on a one-year contract.
The transfer introduced by Saints basic supervisor Mickey Loomis comes on the heels of Drew Brees’ resolution over the weekend to retire and gives Winston an opportunity to compete with Taysom Hill to be New Orleans’ subsequent starter below heart.
Winston entered the NFL with excessive expectations after successful the 2013 Heisman Trophy and being chosen first total by Tampa Bay within the 2015 NFL draft. He began 5 seasons for the Buccaneers, who allowed Winston to stroll in free company in 2020 after opting as a substitute to signal Tom Brady.
Brady led the Buccaneers to the franchise’s second Tremendous Bowl victory whereas Winston served as a backup for the NFC South Division champion Saints.
Winston performed solely sparingly in his first season in New Orleans, even when Brees missed 4 video games with rib and lung accidents.
Hill went 3-1 as a starter in Brees’ absence.
Winston did exchange Brees for one half in a victory over San Francisco — a recreation Brees began earlier than leaving at halftime due to his chest accidents. Whereas Winston didn’t throw a landing go in that recreation, he led two scoring drives — one for a landing and one for a discipline aim — in a 27-13 victory.
In all, Winston appeared in 4 common season video games for New Orleans, finishing 7-of-11 passes for 75 yards.
He additionally took the sector for a trick play in an NFC divisional spherical playoff loss to Tampa Bay, finishing a 56-yard landing go to Tre’Quan Smith to gave the Saints a 13-10 lead.
In his profession, Winston has appeared in 76 common season video games with 70 begins, finishing 61.4% of his passes for 19,812 yards and 121 touchdowns whereas additionally throwing 88 interceptions. He additionally has rushed for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns.
However the Bucs struggled to win with Winston, going 28-42 in video games he began.
In 2019, Winston led the NFL with 5,109 yards passing and ranked second with 33 landing passes, but in addition obtained the doubtful distinction of being the primary NFL QB with at the very least 30 TDs and 30 interceptions in the identical season.
In becoming a member of the Saints on a one-year, back-up deal in 2019, Winston took possession of the position his mercurial play had in Tampa Bay’s inconsistent outcomes throughout his tenure there. He additionally acknowledged that he noticed shifting to the Saints as a chance to vary his profession trajectory for the higher by studying from the NFL’s all-time main passer in Brees, and coach Sean Payton, who designs and calls New Orleans’ offense.
“One factor I’m actually excited to be taught — essentially the most thrilling factor — the way in which this quarterback room features,” Winston stated final April. “What’s coach Payton’s method to each week? What’s Drew’s method? What’s Taysom doing within the room that I can add to my recreation? Simply looking for various things by serving this crew and studying from everyone.”
Now he’ll have a second season in New Orleans to construct on these classes — and maybe re-emerge as an NFL starter.
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