New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) warms up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Jameis Winston likely to start for Saints in 2021?

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 3/15/21

With Drew Brees now in retirement, the New Orleans Saints have some questions to answer at quarterback. Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston are widely expected to compete for the starting job in 2021. However, it appears one quarterback may have the edge over the other.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Saints and Winston are working on a new contract and the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback will likely be the starter in New Orleans next season.

From @NFLNetwork: #Saints QB Drew Brees has finally officially retired, but New Orleans had already been working on a deal with Jameis Winston, the likely starter in 2021. pic.twitter.com/Nq1qV2cGa9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2021

However, ESPN's Dianna Russini says Winston's return to the Saints does not guarantee he'll be the starter next season.

It's no secret in New Orleans they like Jameis Winston and want to bring him back. The two sides are working on getting a deal done, per sources. This would not mean Winston is the starter if it gets done, it was explained to me, this will be a quarterback competition at camp.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 15, 2021

These developments are interesting because Saints head coach Sean Payton opted to start Hill at quarterback when Brees went down with an injury last season. Winston didn't start a single game and used the 2020 campaign as an opportunity to learn from Brees and to learn New Orleans' system.

Hill is arguably best used as a jack-of-all-trades, so it makes sense that Winston is, at the very least, being considered for the starting job.

However, New Orleans might also have another option at quarterback. Russell Wilson listed the Saints as one of the teams he'd accept a trade to this offseason. If the veteran becomes available, maybe Payton will take a swing at him, though it remains to be seen if the Saints would be interested in that.

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