I wrote last year Jameis Winston deserved to be a starting quarterback in the NFL when the New Orleans Saints signed him as a backup to Drew Brees.
It looks like the New Orleans Saints saw what others didn’t as he won the starting job and made his official debut Sunday against reigning league MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
The Saints came away victorious 38-3, and Winston became the first QB in NFL history to throw five touchdowns with zero interceptions in a season-opener in his first career start with a new team.
Could this be what he needed all along? An organization with a competent head coach and general manager?
Check out some of the reactions:
Jameis Winston for MVP. I've seen enough.
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) September 12, 2021
Jameis Winston was a monster today!!!!! https://t.co/hTGvi1ISzs
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) September 12, 2021
I can’t believe Jameis Winston/Taysom Hill was an actual QB competition pic.twitter.com/2uJwyEp4XJ
— Master (@MasterTes) September 12, 2021
Aaron Rodgers was out here talking about “The Last Dance” like he was Michael Jordan and then pulled up to week 1 to get shown up by Jameis Winston.
— Gary Sheffield Jr. (@GarysheffieldJr) September 12, 2021
Get they ass @Jaboowins get em
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) September 12, 2021
Jameis Winston has 5 touchdown passes from just 14 completions with less than 150 passing yards while throwing no interceptions as his team leads the Packers 38-3.
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) September 12, 2021
I truly have no idea which part of that statement is most noteworthy.
I’m really happy for Jameis Winston. He has been under control all day and playing very well. Five TD passes on only 20 throws. 🔥🔥
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) September 12, 2021
Jameis Winston is showing OUT!
— James Chaney (@coachchaney96) September 12, 2021
Jameis Winston's decision-making this half has been outstanding.
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) September 12, 2021
Also, the Saints o-line is dominating Green Bay. Absolutely bullying them.
Thoughts
Jameis Winston with an offensive line and a running game? Winston didn’t have either during his time in Tampa Bay, which forced him to throw the ball a ton, which led to most interceptions in the league, with over 5,000 passing yards in his final year as a starter in 2019.
The quarterback we saw Sunday had time to throw in the pocket and didn’t have to force throws. The other part, and credit to Jameis Winston for putting in the work, but Winston spent a lot of time reshaping his body and came into training camp in significantly better shape.
I remember saying months ago he looked like the FSU version of Jameis Winston when I saw footage of him working out. Heck, per his performance Sunday, it looks like the Saints could have the 2013 FSU version of Winston. If that’s the case, he didn’t do anything but lead the most prolific offense in NCAA history that year as a redshirt freshman.
The Saints have always been a strong offense behind head coach Sean Payton, and this may be the perfect marriage for Jameis Winston to show what he’s capable of in the NFL. Congrats to Jameis on the performance!