Jameis Winston and the Saints make sense for each other

Every so often, a player and a franchise make sense together.

On the verge of NFL veteran free agency, Jameis Winston and the New Orleans Saints are a match, if there ever was one.

Winston could go other places, maybe for more money, but he knows that he cannot find a better place to rebuild his career than in New Orleans.

It is the right head coach and the right supporting cast.

As free agency kicks off, they’ll be speculation about Winston and other franchises, namely the New England Patriots.

So you ask the following of Winston:

Would you rather hand the football to Damien Harris or Alvin Kamara?

Would you rather throw it to Jakobi Meyers or Michael Thomas?

Would you rather stand and throw the ball behind a solid offensive line, or a stellar one that includes three first round draft picks, and Erik McCoy, and Terron Armstead?

The Saints may make more sense for Winston than he does for New Orleans.

Winston’s highest quarterback rating in his career is 90.2.

Drew Brees’ quarterback rating the last four seasons is 103.9, 115.7, 116.3, and 106.4.

In 2019, Winston threw 30 interceptions. In the last four seasons, Brees threw a total of 23.

The Saints could always turn to Taysom Hill, who will have a chance to win the quarterback job in training camp, or they could trade up in the draft to select a rookie quarterback in the first round.

But the guess is they have decided that Winston is better than any option other than a potential and most unlikely trade for Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson.

There’s a lot to like about Winston.

He doesn’t turn 28 until January. He can make every throw. The former Heisman winner has five years of NFL experience as a starter.

So, there’s only one question for the Saints to answer?

Can you teach Jameis Winston to stop throwing interceptions?

The Saints have had one year to form their own opinion. I guess that opinion is yes.

So, if you ask, what is the best option for the Saints in 2021?

My answer would be the return of a 42-year old quarterback who is likely headed for retirement.

Unless the Saints trade for Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson, they probably won’t be as good at the position this season.

If the Saints can somehow replicate Brees’ 2020 production or get close to it, a marriage of Winston and the Saints will look like genius.

The story goes like this. A quarterback resurrects his career, playing for one of the best offensive minds in football.

It would be enough till fill a one-hour special on the league’s in-house television network.