QB Jameis Winston re-signing with Saints

A day after Drew Brees announced his retirement, the New Orleans Saints are bringing back their next potential starting quarterback.

Quarterback Jameis Winston is re-signing with the Saints, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Winston’s return to NOLA comes on a one-year deal with a base value of $5.5 million with more to earn through incentives, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.

Details on Winston’s new contract include a $4.5 million signing bonus, $1 million guaranteed base salary, up to $7 million worth in incentives and two voidable years for cap purposes, according to Pelissero. All in all, the base value of Winston’s one-year deal is set at $5.5 million and has a maximum value of $12.5 million.

Winston’s cap number for 2021 will be just $2.5 million, Pelissero adds, under the assumption his incentives — based on playing time, wins, playoff wins and a variety of stats — are all classified as “not likely to be earned.”

The longtime former Buccaneers starter essentially confirmed the signing on Twitter and the team later announced the one-year pact.

Who Dat! ⚜️⚜️⚜️ #NOLA #DreamForever

Winston, 27, is expected to compete with Taysom Hill for the starting spot, Pelissero reported.

The top pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and No. 13 in Gregg Rosenthal’s Top 101 free agents of 2021, Winston is one of the most mercurial quarterbacks of all-time, as best evidenced by his final year in Tampa Bay when he threw for 33 touchdowns and a league-high 30 interceptions in 2019.

Winston moved on to New Orleans for 2020 and saw action in four games with just 11 attempts and his seven completions going for 75 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. When Brees was injured, it was Hill who got the starting reins.

Who takes over the starting spot to begin the 2021 season remains to be seen, but head coach Sean Payton has Winston returning and in prime position to cash in on all the talents and potential he’s previously shown in the roller-coaster ride that was his Tampa Bay tenure.

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