Taysom Hill May Be Saints’ Starter Despite Arrival Of Jameis Winston

The New Orleans Saints will have a new starting QB for the first time in 16 years, and it looks like Jameis Winston could have the edge over Taysom Hill as the two candidates battle this offseason.

ESPN's Mike Triplett said the 27-year-old Winston may have the edge over Hill, 30, because he's younger with the ceiling of a former No. 1 overall pick. With some clean-up on the turnovers and accuracy issues that doomed him in Tampa, Triplett thinks Winston is the front runner heading into the offseason battle to be the starting quarterback.

However, the Boston Globe's Ben Volin reports that Hill, not Winston, could have the upper hand, citing his league sources. Volin says that Hill’s abilities as a dual-threat talent might compel head coach Sean Payton to open the year with Hill under center, while Winston has the ability to install a more traditional offense.

Hill was the next man-up during Drew Brees’ injury-related absence, and he acquitted himself nicely. As a starter, he went 3-1 over that four-game stretch where he threw for four touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 72% of his passes. He also rushed for four TDs and maintained a YPC average of about 5.4.

On the other hand, Winston has started 70 games in his career as opposed to Hill’s four starts. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2015 draft has also shown plenty of flashes of elite ability, but could never quite shake the turnover bug. In his last season with the Bucs in 2019, he threw an incredible 30 interceptions, Pro Football Rumors reports.

Both Winston and Hill are signed through 2021, and in just over a week the two will begin the battle for the starting job this season.