The New Orleans Saints will get their quarterback after all.
After much speculation, the team got Jameis Winston back, as NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported.
The #Saints are re-signing QB Jameis Winston to a two-year deal with a base value of $28 million, including $21M guaranteed, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
So after missing out on Deshaun Watson, New Orleans turns to an old friend at QB.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 21, 2022
Pelissero said, “The #Saints are re-signing QB Jameis Winston to a two-year deal with a base value of $28 million, including $21M guaranteed, sources tell me and @RapSheet. So after missing out on Deshaun Watson, New Orleans turns to an old friend at QB.”
The Saints were on the final list of teams that might acquire Pro Bowl quarterback Watson and they have a roster that will entice him to join.
But with Watson going to the Cleveland Browns on a five-year, $230 million deal, New Orleans’ options were limited.
Winston Had A Decent 2021 Season
It can be argued that the Saints were playoff contenders if Winston did not tear his ACL.
After suffering that injury, the team went 0-4 when Trevor Siemian started.
Taysom Hill established some legitimacy but the team missed out on the postseason.
Before the injury, Winston won five of his seven starts, including the 38-3 season-opener against the Green Bay Packers.
He finished the season with 1,170 yards and 14 touchdowns.
With him returning, new head coach Dennis Allen won’t have a difficult time adjusting to his quarterback because they’ve played together before.
Likewise, Winston showed some maturity in his decision-making because he only had three interceptions by the time he got injured.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the defending NFC North champions but the Saints had their number last season, winning both regular-season encounters.
This time, New Orleans hopes that they will have Winston for the entire 2022 season.
When that happens, it will be the first full season that Winston will play in New Orleans.
NEXT: Saints GM Offers An Update On Jameis Winston For 2022
