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Following a competition between Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston during training camp and preseason, the New Orleans Saints selected Jameis Winston to be their starting quarterback against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Friday the news.
Drew Brees, who had been the Saints' starting player since 2006, announced his retirement at 42 in March.
After throwing for more than 68,000 yards and 491 touchdown passes, the two-time NFL Offensive player of the year led New Orleans to the Super Bowl XLIV title in 2009. This was after 15 years of service with the franchise.
Winston signed with Saints in April 2020 as Brees' back-up. This allowed Hill to continue in the multifaceted role of playmaker he had played throughout his tenure.
Hill was a future Hall of Famer who suffered broken ribs in November and a collapsed lung. The coaching staff allowed Hill to start as the starting quarterback. Hill compiled four passing touchdowns, four running touchdowns and two interceptions to help him reach a record of 3-1.
Winston signed with New Orleans in March and fought Hill for the title of full-time successor.
Both quarterbacks insisted that the whole process was friendly and focused on improving their own performance, rather than trying to outdo the other.
Jameis is a great person to work with. He works hard. Hill stated Aug. 1 that he thinks he is very smart. Hill said that Hill has a lot of experience in the position.
Winston explained that Aug. 19, working with a "high-level competitor", such as Hill, can "make you naturally better"
"I believe we are great friends. Everyone in the quarterback room is focused on the main goal of winning and protecting the football. This is all we think about. We are constantly and consistently trying to help one another with that, especially the winning parts. As long as they are doing their job well, it doesn't really matter who's out. It's more about the team than about each of us individually.
The preseason was intense as neither quarterback was able to distance himself in the early stages of camp. However, Winston's strong performance in the second exhibition contest gave Winston the edge.
Given his five-years of experience in leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense, Winston was the presumptive favorite going into the season. He was prone to making mistakes with the Bucs but he has the arm talent to make any NFL throw which gives him plenty upside in the Saints' scheme.
He became the first NFL quarterback to record at least 30 touchdowns (and 30 interceptions) in his final season with Tampa in 2019. This was his classic boom-or-bust style. New Orleans hopes he can reduce the number of errors in 2021.
Hill can now return to his former role, which was to do a little of everything for the Saints' offense by picking Winston to be the starter for the Sept. 12-match with Green Bay. This will likely include some QB snaps in short-yardage situations as well as trick plays.
