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sports Diaranson 17 Maart 2021

Winston re-joins Saints for 2021 after Brees retirement

(AP) — The New Orleans NFL QB with at least 30 TDs
Saints are bringing back and 30 interceptions in the
quarterback Jameis Win- same season.
ston on a one-year con-
tract. In joining the Saints on a one-
year, back-up deal in 2019,
The move announced by Winston took ownership of
Saints general manager the role his mercurial play
Mickey Loomis comes on had in Tampa Bay’s incon-
the heels of Drew Brees’ de- sistent results during his ten-
cision over the weekend to ure there. He also stated that
retire and provides Winston a he saw moving to the Saints
chance to compete with Tay- as an opportunity to change
som Hill to be New Orleans’ his career trajectory for the
next starter under center. better by learning from the
Winston entered the NFL NFL’s all-time leading pass-
with high expectations after er in Brees, and coach Sean
winning the 2013 Heisman Payton, who designs and calls
Trophy and being selected New Orleans’ offense.
first overall by Tampa Bay in “One thing I’m really excited
the 2015 NFL draft. He start- to learn — the most exciting
ed five seasons for the Bucca- thing — the way this quarter-
neers, who allowed Winston back room functions,” Win-
to walk in free agency in 2020 Hill went 3-1 as a starter in four regular season games for 19,812 yards and 121 touch- ston said last April. “What’s
after opting instead to sign Brees’ absence. New Orleans, completing downs while also throwing coach Payton’s approach to
Tom Brady. Winston did replace Brees for 7-of-11 passes for 75 yards. 88 interceptions. He also has every week? What’s Drew’s
Brady led the Buccaneers to one half in a victory over San He also took the field for a rushed for 1,040 yards and 10 approach? What’s Taysom
the franchise’s second Super Francisco — a game Brees trick play in an NFC divi- touchdowns. doing in the room that I can
Bowl victory while Winston started before leaving at half- sional round playoff loss to But the Bucs struggled to win add to my game? Just trying
served as a backup for the time because of his chest in- Tampa Bay, completing a with Winston, going 28-42 in to find different things by
NFC South Division cham- juries. While Winston did not 56-yard touchdown pass to games he started. serving this team and learn-
pion Saints. throw a touchdown pass in Tre’Quan Smith to gave the In 2019, Winston led the ing from everybody.”
Winston played only sparing- that game, he led two scor- Saints a 13-10 lead. NFL with 5,109 yards pass- Now he’ll have a second sea-
ly in his first season in New ing drives — one for a touch- In his career, Winston has ap- ing and ranked second with son in New Orleans to build
Orleans, even when Brees down and one for a field goal peared in 76 regular season 33 touchdown passes, but on those lessons — and per-
missed four games with rib — in a 27-13 victory. games with 70 starts, com- also obtained the dubious haps re-emerge as an NFL
and lung injuries. In all, Winston appeared in pleting 61.4% of his passes for distinction of being the first starter.