Saints: Sean Payton confirms Jameis Winston is starting QB

While Jameis Winston was named the New Orleans Saints‘ starting quarterback last week, Tuesday marked the first time that head coach Sean Payton addressed it publicly.

Winston was absolutely the right choice to start for the Saints, as the competition was between him and Taysom Hill. Winston didn’t get the nod to start while Drew Brees missed time last year but he outperformed Hill during preseason.

That couldn’t have been more evident than in the second preseason game when Winston dazzled in a short period of time while Hill struggled despite playing twice as many snaps. From then on, it was obvious what the decision needed to be and Payton rightfully made it just four days after that game took place.

It’ll be Jameis Winston under center for the Saints as they kick off the post-Brees era on Sept. 12 against the Packers. Winston’s time in Tampa Bay didn’t work out but there’s reason to believe that Payton can get more out of Winston and turn him into a viable quarterback.

Sean Payton confirms Jameis Winston is Saints starting QB

It’s going to be weird not seeing Brees out there taking snaps but Winston has already given fans a preview as to what life will be like with him as the quarterback. He and Marquez Callaway clearly have a connection, as the two lit up the Jaguars in the preseason to the tune of five catches for 104 yards and two trips into the end zone.

If that’s the sample size for what these two can accomplish together, then sign me up!

I’ll be curious to see if Winston is open to learning and becoming a better quarterback or if what ailed him in Tampa continues to hold him back.