Former undrafted free agent quarterback Taysom Hill is set to start at QB this week for the injured Drew Brees.
Hill, who is often used in games as a ball carrier, will start over former first overall draft pick Jameis Winston. The Saints will face division rival Atlanta Falcons this weekend. The matchup between the Saints and Falcons is set for a noon start.
ESPN NFL insider Adams Schefter broke the news of Hill’s upcoming start earlier today (Friday).
“Saints’ QB Taysom Hill will start Sunday vs. the Falcons, per source,” Shefter tweets. “Hill took all the starter reps at practice this week. Jameis Winston will be the backup.”
Schefter would later tweet that Winston is not expected to be part of the game plan unless something happens to Hill during the game.
“Jameis Winston will not be a part of any offensive packages Sunday vs. the Falcons, per @diannaESPN,” Schefter writes. “The Saints’ QB is now Tayson Hill.”
Hill Getting Start over Winston
The quarterback reportedly took all of his practice snaps with the Saints’ first team starting offense. While Winston has much more game experience, Hill starting for the Saints isn’t a surprise.
Saints Head Coach Sean Payton and other Saints personnel have long said they believe he can be a successful starter in the NFL. They back up their words in the offseason when they resigned Hill to a two-year contract extension. Hill’s extension is reportedly worth $21 million over the course of those two years.
Hill is likely to be the starter while Brees recovers from a recent injury. ESPN NFL Reporter Ed Werder says it remains unknown how long Brees will be out.
“Source: Results of medical evaluation performed today on #Saints quarterback Drew Brees revealed that he has multiple rib fractures on both sides of his chest and a collapsed lung on the right side. Injuries suffered over two weeks. It is uncertain how much time he might miss.”
Many Saints fans took to social media to express their feeling on the quarterback getting the starting nod over Winston. Here some of the top reactions from today’s news:
L for the Saints
— W.A. Thompson (@MrGeneralWill) November 20, 2020
Falcons by 30
— #ExtendAllenRobinson (@BearDown5210) November 20, 2020
5 INTs incoming
— 𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚢 🍠 7-3 (@anthermi) November 20, 2020
Wow saints are clowns
— connorthered10 (@Connorthered10) November 20, 2020
— Nick 🇨🇦 (@ml66sc87) November 20, 2020
