Sean Payton says Saints are set for QB competition, but with a caveat

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton discussed his quarterbacks competition between Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill on the Dan Patrick Show.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK4iWWL9xDQ

Who will start under center for the New Orleans Saints this year? Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston are primed for a training camp competition, which is just how Sean Payton wants it. The Saints head coach discussed the situation during a Tuesday appearance on the Dan Patrick Show.

But when he was asked if he feels the Saints are settled at quarterback, Payton offered an interesting response.

“I think we are. I think we are,” he repeated, before adding: “And look, there’ll be a few calls we make. But our goal going into the offseason was to re-sign Jameis. Taysom played four games for us last year. Let those guys go to work. I’m excited about it.”

Who are they calling? Fans with big dreams might hope for trade calls chasing Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson, but that feels unlikely. The free agent market is drying up quickly. But maybe the Saints could look to bring back a familiar veteran like Chase Daniel once he’s released by the Detroit Lions. Daniel backed up Drew Brees for a long time and knows the offense. They could do worse for a third quarterback.

And they might need one. Winston and Hill are joined on the depth chart by Trevor Siemian, who signed with the Saints practice squad late last year and was brought back for 2021. Bringing someone like Daniel in to compete with Siemian for that final roster spot might make sense, though it’s a small storyline in the greater scheme of things. But Payton knows the danger in getting complacent, so don’t sleep on some more movement in the depth chart.

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