Brees on @Jaboowins returning to the #Saints
“I think he will come back stronger than ever because I know his work ethic” pic.twitter.com/8aN4nKAdyi
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 4, 2022
Drew Brees isn’t mincing his words. The legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback has his take on who should be his long-term successor: Jameis Winston, who got the first opportunity to take Brees’ place last season. Brees spoke about the outlook under center during a Monday media appearance.
“So, I think it’s set up for success with Jameis,” Brees said. “You continue to build pieces around him, that will help him be successful. I think the defensive side of the ball has incredible leadership and has been playing at a really, really high level here for the last few years.”
The benefits of a stronger supporting cast is something Winston has spoken about himself this offseason — for one, he’s very eager to get to work with Michael Thomas, who won the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award not too long ago. Winston never got to target Thomas during his seven starts for New Orleans prior to a season-ending knee injury. Now, both players are looking to get healthy and make a splash together.
And the Saints are loading up to get Winston the help Brees is calling for. The team traded with the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire more draft picks in 2022, giving them an extra first rounder and three selections within the top 50 slots. If they’re more focused on propping Winston up than looking for his replacement, and Brees certainly feels they should be, all three of those picks could turn into starters at left tackle, wide receiver, and maybe running back or tight end. They could also draft a defender if the value is there.
Winston isn’t the only member of the Saints to earn Brees’ support. He also spoke highly of offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, who Brees called one of the best play callers he’s ever been around in the NFL — high praise from someone with his resume. And he’s on board with Dennis Allen’s promotion to head coach, pointing out that Allen has been around long enough to learn what the team responds well to and how he can best keep them moving forwards. Brees may not be playing for the Saints anymore, but he’s still eager to throw his support behind them.
