Saints eyeing new QB target after Deshaun Watson trade effort

The New Orleans Saints are moving on quickly after missing out on Deshaun Watson.

The Saints are expected to revisit their interest in Jameis Winston after Watson turned down a trade to New Orleans, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Winston played for the Saints for the last two seasons and appears to have been the team’s fallback plan all along.

After today’s trade, free-agent QB Jameis Winston now is expected to be back in play for the New Orleans Saints, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2022

The Saints aimed high with Watson, but fell short. Turning to their fallback option makes sense. Winston knows the system, and the Saints appear to view him as a safe, comfortable option if all else fails.

Winston tore his ACL on Oct. 31, but appears to be making good progress and hopes to be ready for the regular season. The 28-year-old passed for 1,170 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions last season before the injury.

Photo: Dec 19, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen serves as head coach as Sean Payton has Covid-19 during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports