New Orleans Saints: Jameis Winston is a dark horse for NFL MVP

The New Orleans Saints have a new quarterback this year and many are under the impression that Jameis Winston will win the job over Taysom Hill. While some people are disrespecting Winston, others believe he could have one heck of a season for the Saints.

Adam Schein of NFL.com penned an article with nine dark horse candidates for MVP and one of his biggest “dark horse” listed was none other than Jameis Winston.

Schein offered this analysis:

"Another outside-the-box candidate, no doubt about that. I considered Alvin Kamara, but it is just so tough for running backs to win this award. And I still have Sean Payton’s comments ringing in my ear from earlier this year, when he told me on SiriusXM Radio that Winston can be a star in his offense. I believe that to be true. Payton is that special. And hey, Winston was a No. 1 overall pick, with the raw arm talent never in question. The QB learned the offense last year. This year, it’s time to take off. I think Jameis can live up to his potential in New Orleans."

Jameis Winston has a chance to do special things for the New Orleans Saints.

The disrespect for Winston is a bit confusing honestly. Sure, he didn’t stick with the team who drafted him No. 1 overall in 2015 but that’s likely because they knew they’d have a shot at Tom Brady, who was an upgrade, even at his age. Winston also threw 30 interceptions in 2019, which was an ugly blemish on an otherwise impressive season (over 5,100 yards passing along with 33 touchdowns).

Winston can sling the pigskin, there’s no debating that. Sean Payton thinks a lot of him too and he showed that by signing him last year and again this year. Winston is the favorite to win the job over Hill, as he’s a more ‘traditional’ quarterback and has a chance to show why he was a No. 1 pick six years ago.

This is definitely an out-there opinion, as even Drew Brees himself failed to win NFL MVP during his 15 years with the Saints. It’d take a truly outrageous season from Winston to be able to win the title over guys like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Aaron Rodgers — the past three NFL MVPs.

If Jameis Winston is able to replicate his 2019 season, however, and simply cut back on the interceptions, winning MVP isn’t too farfetched.