Jameis Winston will be getting a second chance at being an NFL starting quarterback.
The former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall 2015 NFL Draft pick is expected to start for the New Orleans Saints in their Week 1 home matchup against the Green Bay Packers, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter Friday morning.
Winston hasn't started a game since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' final regular season matchup of the 2019 season, with the team instead opting to sign Tom Brady when both quarterbacks hit the free agent market the following offseason.
The former Florida State standout will look to revive a once-promising career that was derailed by turnovers during his final season with the Bucs, while also aiming to be a successor to legendary quarterback Drew Brees amid the NFL all-time leading passer's recent retirement.
Brees had previously started in Week 1 for the Saints during each of the last 16 seasons.
"I would love to carry that torch from him," Winston said earlier this year when he got emotional over serving as Brees' backup in 2020 via ESPN. "I would love to be able to provide the excitement and joy and resilience that he provided for this city."
Winston engaged in a quarterback competition during the offseason with Taysom Hill, splitting first-team reps equally through training camp and the Saints' first two preseason games.
Winston, however, shined in New Orleans' last preseason matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday (August 23) night, throwing for 123 yards and two touchdowns -- both deep passes to wide receiver Marquez Callaway-- on 9 of 10 passing.
Hill had sporadically filled in for an injured Brees during the 2020 season, posting a 3-1 record, though excelling more in a versatile read-option QB/RB/WR/TE role during his three seasons with the Saints.
Winston went 28-42 during his five seasons in Tampa Bay, completing 61.3% of his passes for 19,737 yards, 121 touchdowns and 88 interceptions.
In 2019, Winston led the league in both passing yards (5,109) and interceptions (30), becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw at least 30 touchdown passes (33) and 30 interceptions during the same season.
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