Jameis Winston’s four years with the New Orleans Saints were filled with unrealized potential. This Sunday, he’ll have a chance to show Superdome fans that maybe the Saints gave up on him too soon.
In his first season after leaving New Orleans, Winston has found himself starting for the Cleveland Browns (2-7) after the injury to Deshaun Watson. The Browns will play the Saints (3-7) in a Week 11 matchup between two teams that haven’t had much success this season.
“I’m grateful for this moment,” Winston said. “Opportunities only come so often.” Winston, who took over as Cleveland’s starter after Watson got hurt, was with New Orleans from 2020 to 2023.
A 2013 Heisman Trophy winner from Florida State and the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, Winston came to the Saints hoping to revive his career after being let go by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who chose to bring in former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
While his time with the Saints included a major knee injury and didn’t go the way he hoped, Winston looks back on his time there and with his former teammates fondly. He also has positive memories of his time in the community and says he’s “definitely excited” to play in New Orleans again.
“The people in New Orleans, I really love them,” Winston said. “They really helped that transitional period in my life. They filled it up with joy.”
Winston’s career has been inconsistent, but the Saints know how dangerous he can be when he’s playing well.
“He’s always capable of making those huge plays,” said Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi, who was with the team during Winston’s time there. “It’ll be great to see him. It’ll certainly be a challenge to play against him.”
Winston had a strong start with the Browns, leading them to a win over the Baltimore Ravens, but he struggled in his second start in Week 9, throwing turnovers in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I’m expecting a few moon balls, you know? I know he’s going to take a few shots,” said Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu with a grin. “And quite honestly, we got to catch the ones that he throws to us.”
