Free agent quarterback Jameis Winston is finalizing a one-year deal to join the New Orleans Saints, Yahoo Sports reported Sunday.
The former No. 1 overall pick was not re-signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2019 season, in which he became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in the same season.
The Buccaneers, of course, went all-in with their upgrade at the position by signing Tom Brady.
In New Orleans, Winston will serve as a backup for Drew Brees. Brees, 40, opted not to retire this spring and signed a two-year, $50 million contract to come back to the Saints. Winston is likely to serve as the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart — mirroring what Teddy Bridgewater did for New Orleans in 2019, winning all five of his starts when Brees missed time with a thumb injury.
The Saints also have Taysom Hill, but they use him more as a utility player who comes in for occasional snaps at quarterback, along with playing a hybrid receiver/tight end role. They added quarterback Tommy Stevens from Mississippi State in the seventh round of the NFL draft Saturday, and because of Hill’s positional flexibility, it’s not out of the question that the Saints keep all four on the roster in the fall.
Winston and Cam Newton are among the quarterbacks out of a starting job in 2020, though via much different circumstances. The Carolina Panthers moved on from Newton after he missed most of 2019 with a foot injury.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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