The NFL world was shocked on Friday when Deshaun Watson decided to waive his no-trade clause in order to join the Cleveland Browns. It was initially thought that Watson was deciding between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons as future destinations, but his change of heart left both teams in limbo at the quarterback position.
The Falcons decided to trade Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2022 third-round pick on Monday, leaving their quarterback situation even more up in the air.
Meanwhile, the Saints also made a significant move on Monday at the quarterback position. Numerous reports have come out that the Saints have re-signed quarterback Jameis Winston to a two-year deal worth $28 million, including $21 million guaranteed.
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
Winston showed flashes of solid play in 2021 with the Saints, going 5-2 as their starter before he, unfortunately, tore his ACL in a Week 8 game, ending his season early.
The news of Winston’s return has many Saints fans excited to see a return to solid quarterback play from him in 2022.
HoF back on! https://t.co/z2EB2EZXwL
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 21, 2022
https://twitter.com/TWaszazak/status/1505976038731436034
This sincerely makes me happy #Saints #WhoDat https://t.co/C8FBw7KUBk
— John Walton (@John_Walton_) March 21, 2022
Saints circle back to Winston after spending last week trying to acquire Watson https://t.co/fHW7gJcBeK
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) March 21, 2022
Good for Jameis. Getting to run it back with the Saints is best for him https://t.co/jLo8uLVP4Y
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) March 21, 2022
It is assumed that Winston should be the starting quarterback now that Sean Payton’s fascination with Taysom Hill is over, given his retirement.
The team will still unfortunately feel the burden of the massive contract that Payton gave to Hill on his way out, who is set to remain with the team until the end of the 2026 season.
Regardless, it was crucial for the team to figure out their quarterback situation heading into 2022, and if Winston can repeat the success that he had in 2021, the Saints can be a dark horse in the NFC South next season.
