Jameis Winston, the NFL’s best backup quarterback

The New Orleans Saints have the potential to have four quarterbacks on their 2020 roster: Drew Brees, Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, and Tommy Stevens. Without question, this is the best quarterback room, top to bottom, in the NFL - it’s the first time two 5,000+ yard passers have been on the same roster.

It should come as no surprise then that CBS Sports have named Jameis Winston as the NFL’s best backup quarterback:

Yes, Winston led the league with 30 interceptions, seven of which were returned for a defensive touchdown. But he also threw for 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns. If Drew Brees were to go down with an injury and miss a few weeks, as he did in 2019, the Saints would have confidence that Winston would be able to keep them afloat. After all, he’s capable of getting smoldering hot for a few weeks at a time. It happens every season.

What vaulted the Saints with Winston over the Cowboys with Dalton is that Winston is more than just a good short-term backup quarterback. He also gives the Saints a potential long-term option as they look to transition successfully away from the Brees era. Winston is still only 26 years old. He needs to cut the turnovers, but learning from both Sean Payton and Brees can only help. Winston is both a great backup quarterback and a potential long-term starting quarterback, whereas Dalton, at the age of 32, is only a short-term backup.

Plus, he can see now. That could matter.

In case you’re curious, across the NFC South, the other three teams are in the bottom half of the NFL in back-up quarterback rankings. Matt Schaub, of the Atlanta Falcons, came in 16th, backing up Matt Ryan. Tom Brady’s backup in Tampa Bay, Blaine Gabbert, was 22nd. Will Grier, of the Carolina Panthers, the backup to former Saint Teddy Bridgewater, is two spots later, 24th in the NFL.

Recently-signed Andy Dalton, was second on the list, Dak Prescott’s backup for the Dallas Cowboys. Worst in the league was Anthony Gordon of the Seattle Seahawks - a reason why some pundits have seen a fit for Cam Newton in Seattle.

Interestingly, after significant initial backlash, fans seem to be growing on the signing of Jameis Winston. When polled to ask who the Saints would prefer as a backup in New Orleans, Winston or former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, the overwhelming majority voted for Famous Jameis.

Do you agree that Jameis Winston is the NFL’s best back-up quarterback? Let us know in the comments. Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you’re subscribed to our new YouTube channel. As always, you can follow me on Twitter @ChrisDunnells.