Saints chances of signing Winston higher after Thursday

Two things happened Thursday that are raising the chances of the Saints being able to re-sign Jameis Winston during the offseason.

The Saints quarterback situation is getting worse and worse as the days go by. With so many teams needing a quarterback and New Orleans have zero money to be able to sign anyone to a big, long-term contract, their future is up in the air.

They still have options like Taysom Hill, who is under contract through 2023, and they have the No. 28 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Either one of them would be fine options, but they aren’t the ones who could lead the Saints to a Super Bowl now.

However, two things happened this last week on Thursday, that is bringing the Saints and free-agent quarterback Jameis Winston closer and closer to a deal.

The NFL Increased the Salary Cap.

The first thing that happened is that the NFL agreed to up the salary cap for the 2021-2022 season from $175 million to $180 million. With the Saints already playing Tetris with their team to try and get below the salary cap for the upcoming season.

There is still a possibility that it could go higher, but for now, the Saints will enjoy the $5 million they have to spend. That money can go to either retaining a core player or adding to the salary that they will be able to offer Winston this offseason.

Carson Wentz was traded to the Indianapolis Colts.

The second thing that happened on Thursday is the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles agreed on a trade for former first-round pick Carson Wentz. Most analysts predicted the Colts being the team to offer Winston the most upside and a contract this offseason.

As the quarterback carousel continues to unfold, the more quarterbacks that are signed means the fewer teams that Winston has a chance of going and starting at. With the Colts adding Wentz, the most anticipated team for Winston to sign with is off the table.