Saints' Jordan: Payton said Winston 'up next' if Brees retires

Signs continue to point to the New Orleans Saints choosing Jameis Winston as Drew Brees' successor at starting quarterback whenever the future Hall of Famer hangs up his cleats.

The latest indication came from New Orleans defensive end Cameron Jordan. Speaking on the "Great Dane Nation" podcast with former Saints kicker Morten Andersen, Jordan was asked who will be under center if Brees decides to retire.

"Jameis Winston up next I believe is what (head coach) Sean Payton said," Jordan explained.

Winston is scheduled to become a free agent in March. He signed with the Saints on a one-year, $1.1-million deal prior to the 2020 season and then spent the campaign backing up Brees and Taysom Hill. When Brees missed multiple weeks with rib fractures, the Saints turned to Hill rather than Winston.

Hill remains under contract for $16 million in 2021. Nonetheless, Jordan is adamant that Winston would be the choice.

"Sean wouldn't say he's fighting for Jameis to be back if our goal was to have Taysom, but that's, again, rare instances where it's beyond my pay grade," he said.

Jordan's comments back up a statement that Payton made on "Good Morning Football" in early February, suggesting the Saints' plans going forward include Winston.

"We had great exposure for one year with Jameis Winston. We didn't have a normal offseason, but we had enough time to see what we have with him as a player, as a leader, as an athlete. I really like what we had a chance to see. He was a tremendous leader for this team," Payton said.

Payton added, "He is a free agent, but him along with Taysom Hill, who's in the building, we've said it all along, we're going to develop and coach those guys, and Jameis is one of those guys that we have a big interest in."