Payton: No timetable to name Week 1 starter

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton isn't rushing to choose a starting quarterback for Week 1 between Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill.

"I don't have a timeframe," Payton said after Winston had a standout performance on Monday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Grant Gordon of NFL.com.

"When we know what direction we're going, we'll let you guys know. We're not going to try to anticipate saying, 'Hey it's gonna be mid-week or next week,'" he added. "But I was pleased with not just the quarterbacks but how we played as a team for the most part."

Winston completed nine of 10 pass attempts for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter against the Jaguars in his first start this preseason. Second-year wide receiver Marquez Callaway caught both touchdowns and finished with five receptions for 104 yards.

"I haven't started a football game in so long, so I was just so excited to get an opportunity to start and lead the pack," Winston said. "It was exciting and the rhythm was great."

Hill, who started last week's contest, took over versus Jacksonville at the end of the first quarter and played into the second half, finishing the night with 138 yards and one score on 11-of-20 passing.

Winston joined New Orleans last year as a free agent after playing his first five NFL seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He attempted only 11 passes in 2020, as Hill started the four games when Drew Brees was sidelined.

Winston has thrown for 219 yards and three touchdowns against one interception while completing 72.7% of his passes (16 of 22) over two preseason appearances in 2021. Meanwhile, Hill has completed 19 of his 32 pass attempts for 219 yards and one score versus one pick.

Payton previously said he hoped to name the starter before the final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, according to Peter King of NBC Sports.

New Orleans opens its 2021 campaign at home against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 12.