NOLA Saints quarterbacks could take a massive step backward
As the New Orleans Saints enter the 2021 season, they’ll have a new starting quarterback under center in Week 1 for the first time since 2006, as Drew Brees rode off into the retirement sunset.
This leaves the Saints with either Taysom Hill or Jameis Winston as the starting quarterback and neither is getting much respect from those outside of New Orleans.
It’s not hard to see why this is the case. Winston is turnover-prone, throwing 30 interceptions during his final year as a starter in Tampa Bay while Hill is not a traditional quarterback and is better utilized as a Swiss army knife.
Jared Dublin of CBS Sports listed the New Orleans Saints quarterbacks as ones who could take a step back this year, joining Derek Carr, Jared Goff, Matt Ryan, and rookie quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson.
"Sean Payton is one of the best offensive coaches of his or any other generation, but the relentless efficiency with which the Saints offense has moved during his tenure seems unlikely to be replicated with one of those two players at quarterback. They’re going to have to make a ton of adjustments, and it is just not easy to count on there not being a breaking-in period. Brees wasn’t at his peak last season, but even sub-peak Brees completed 70-plus percent of his passes at 7.5 yards per attempt. Do you want to bet on either Winston or Hill matching that? I don’t."
Dublin’s comment about Brees and how he wasn’t the same ol’ Brees is why the Saints could surprise some people this year. Their roster is talented enough to win games even without top-notch quarterback play and they proved this last year.
The NOLA Saints’ quarterbacks are under fire once again.
No one really believes that Hill or Winston can step in and do enough damage to overtake the Buccaneers in the division but don’t be so sure. Winston is a great passer and if he can cut back on the turnovers, he could be just what this offense needs.
As for Hill, he’s won games for this team in the past. He might not be a traditional signal-caller but for whatever reason, he’s able to win games and be the leader this offense needs.
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Whoever wins the starting quarterback job this year is going to have a short leash until they prove they’re the right guy for the job. It’ll be a constant storyline to watch in the Big Easy this year but let’s hope whoever is named the starter can hold onto the job all season long and prove the naysayers wrong.