Report: Winston getting significant support from teammates in QB battle
New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston is receiving significant locker-room support during his competition with Taysom Hill, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Many of Winston's teammates are reportedly treating him as the starter, though the Saints haven't declared who will lead them into Week 1.
New Orleans has given both passers extended snaps over its first two preseason games. Winston seemingly emerged from the second exhibition contest with an advantage after throwing two touchdown passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Preseason statistics
| Completions | Yards | TDs | INTs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winston | 16/22 | 219 | 3 | 1 |
| Hill | 19/32 | 219 | 1 | 1 |
Winston served as a backup last season, his first in New Orleans following a five-year tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 2015 No. 1 pick led the NFL in passing yards in 2019 while with the Bucs, but he also threw a league-high 30 interceptions.
Hill started last year when Drew Brees was injured, but he otherwise operated as a versatile offensive weapon with no defined position. The 31-year-old said early in the offseason that he had started to train exclusively as a quarterback.
The Saints haven't fielded an opening-day starting quarterback other than Brees since 2005 when Aaron Brooks opened the schedule.