Saints take a worthwhile chance on Winston

The New Orleans Saints’ trying to revive the career of quarterback Jameis Winston is a great story.

One viewed with skepticism by many.

As it should be.

Or should it?

Quarterbacks moving to other teams and blossoming aren’t stories that are as rare as you might believe.

Former LSU quarterback Y.A. Tittle was a four-time Pro Bowler in San Francisco. But at age 34, Tittle, considered way past his prime, was traded in the preseason of 1961 to the New York Giants.

Over the next three seasons, his record as a starting quarterback was 31-5-1.

Fran Tarkenton started his career with the Vikings and then went to the Giants before he was traded back to Minnesota where he was 64-27-2 as a starter over the next seven seasons.

This summer, there are several clubs that are betting that a change of scenery will benefit their new acquired signal callers.

In Indianapolis, Carson Wentz, who was benched in Philadelphia, is re-united with Colts head coach Frank Reich, his former offensive coordinator with the Eagles.

In Los Angeles, Rams quarterback Jared Goff went from the franchise quarterback to a trade to the lowly Lions.

Goff’s descent was swift with the Rams. He went from signing a contract extension with $110 million guaranteed to a messy divorce.

In recent years, several quarterbacks have switched franchises and changed fortunes.

In Miami, Ryan Tannehill threw at least 12 interceptions in each of his first five seasons.

In Tennessee, his numbers for the last two seasons are 55 touchdown passes, 13 interceptions.

In a trade, the Titans got Tannehill and a 6th round pick for 4th and 7th round selections.

Tannehill was, for Tennessee, a steal.

Kirk Cousins left Washington as a free agent and signed a three-year, $84 million deal with the Vikings. All of the money was guaranteed.

Even though the Vikings have been mediocre the last three seasons, Cousins has not. He’s tossed 91 touchdown passes against only 29 interceptions.

In 2012, San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh benched Alex Smith for Colin Kaepernick, who had led the 49ers to the NFC Championship before losing at the Superdome to the Baltimore Ravens.

Smith moved on to Kansas City, where he led the Chiefs to three 11-win seasons.

There’s one recent career revival that hasn’t gone so well.

After the 2019 season, Cam Newton was released by Carolina. In one season at New England to date, he has thrown 8 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. He now keeps the starting seat warm for a new first round rookie.

So, in hindsight, the Saints signing of Winston could be viewed in a different light.

In 2020, Winston’s base salary was $1 million.

In 2021, the most he can earn as a Saint is $12.5 million.

In 2019, Winston was the only quarterback in the NFL to throw for 5,000 yards.

You know the rest of the story. He threw 33 touchdown passes, and 30 interceptions.

If Sean Payton and the Saints can reduce the latter number, New Orleans gets a bargain.

A signal caller in his 7th year in NFL, with six as a starter, is worth a look.

If he does great, then the Saints sign Winston to a contract extension.

If not, they move on, with little lost in cash and nothing lost in draft choices.