Jameis Winston could not make a strong case for becoming the next starting quarterback of the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.
Winston completed 9 of 10 passes for 123 yards and two deep touchdown throws that ended with a brilliant catch by wide receiver Marquez Callaway against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Kaiser Superdome - all in the first quarter of a 23-21 win .
Saints coach Sean Payton declined to make any official announcements after the game or offer a timetable for his decision between Winston and fellow QB contender Tessom Hill.
But there couldn't have been a better time for Winston, 27, who is trying to revive his career after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers departed last season.
Peyton recently told NBC Sports that he hopes to be named New Orleans' starting quarterback ahead of Saturday's preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals—which made Monday night's game the most important performance ever for Winston. made.
Winston, who made his first debut with the Saints, said, "I haven't started a football game in such a long time, I was so excited to have the chance to start and lead the pack, as there was no preseason when she was first. Barr joined the team in 2020. "The rhythm was great, the offensive line was phenomenal and we had guys like Quez playing all night long. You'll love it."
Winston also quickly added, "As we all know, we have one more game next week."
But when asked whether it was important for Winston to step into such an opportunity, both Winston and Peyton acknowledged that it is important for all players, as opportunities like these are very precious during the preseason evaluation period.
"It's important to see them all," Peyton said. "I just finished telling [players]: It's a team game, but we're always updating our resumes. You're always trying to put your best foot forward and create that value for yourself."
Hill, who turns 31 on Monday, got off to a slow start but finished with his first TD pass of the preseason late in the third quarter — a full 14-yard pass to wide to Lil'Jordan Humphrey. Feather. Hill passed 11-for-20 for 138 yards with no turnover and no rush. He was once flagged for a deliberate grounding, but also propelled the Saints to a field goal in the final 36 seconds of the first half.
Winston completed a 10-yard pass to Callaway on the first snap of the game. After three plays, he put down a third with a strike to tame Juwan Johnson. Winston then closed the opening drive with a 43-yard TD pass, which Callaway caught on his way to the ground despite a pass interference penalty against Jaguars rookie cornerback Tyson Campbell.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Winston's scoring pass covered 53.3 yards in the air—the most air distances on any Saints pass in the preseason, regular season, or playoffs since 2016.
Winston's second TD pass could be even more impressive - a 29-yard pass to Callaway to the left - as he had a free blitzer in the face when he threw it. And it may actually have been a more impressive catch by Callaway, as he reeled it with one hand while it hit the ground.
“Playing receiver, we are being paid to catch. So if it touches our hand, we have to do whatever we can to come up with it,” said Callaway, who previously TD was rated as more difficult to come down. "He got a bruise" when he hit the turf.
Callaway, a free agent in 2020 who has been the breakout star of the Saints camp this summer, said he had yet to actually see replays of his catches when he spoke after the game. But when asked if his phone was filling up with messages, his eyes widened.
"It's still going on. It's on 'do not disturb' right now," said Callaway, who took the time to call her parents.
Even Winston's lone incompleteness wasn't so negative, as he showed some judgment by deciding to run back to third and -16 after a deeper look at the start. Winston has shown progress in that area this summer, when turnover derailed his career in Tampa.
"I missed the easiest throw of the night," said Winston, who said he was happy with his decision but still wanted to improve his accuracy.
Before Monday night, the contest between Winston and Hill was arguably still very close to the call, as both QBs did some decent work without any true knockout punches. They both threw interceptions in last week's preseason opener (though their receivers shared the blame in both cases).
Playing with the second string, Winston led the Saints on his only two TD drives last week.