Jameis Winston Emerges as Favorite in QB1 Battle With Taysom Hill After Saints Win Over Jaguars

(Photo : Chris Graythen/Getty Images) NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - Jameis Winston of the New Orleans Saints reacts against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Caesars Superdome on August 23, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The quarterback battle in New Orleans is heating up with both Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill staking their claim to be the Saints' starter in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. Head coach Sean Payton isn't tipping his hand on Drew Brees' successor, but he likes what he sees thus far from his two quarterbacks.

Payton told ESPN's Dan Graziano in a recent interview that Winston and Hill are working their tail off this preseason and that both of them are well-respected by their teammates. Payton later added that Winston and Hill are "really, really good leaders."

Winston dazzles in preseason win over Jaguars

That being said, it is Winston who's becoming the favorite of fans and pundits to become QB1 in Week 1. He bolstered his case in Monday night's preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, completing 9 of 10 passes for 123 yards and a pair of touchdowns with no interceptions to lead New Orleans to a 23-21 win.

Winston excelled in his first start as a Saint, albeit in a preseason game, since moving to New Orleans from Tampa Bay last year. Winston let it fly on several occasions, completing touchdown passes of 43 and 29 yards to Marquez Callaway, a second-year pro, in the Saints' opening two drives.

How about that catch from @CallawayMarquez? 😱

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— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2021

Winston's first touchdown was thrown into double coverage, but the former Bucs QB was able to guide the ball over the Jacksonville defense and into the hands of Callaway, who was able to gather the football in the end zone despite blatant attempts by the Jaguars to interfere on the play.

They've done it again! @jaboowins to @CallawayMarquez for 6 ‼️

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— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2021

Winston's second touchdown was a thing of beauty, with Callaway burning Jacksonville's top free-agent signing Shaq Griffin with a big-time move down the left sideline. He made sure he got his just rewards, making a one-handed grab in the front corner of the end zone to make it 14-0 for New Orleans.

Payton still undecided even after Winston's excellent start

Fans were delighted with the Winston and Callaway show in the first quarter as the Saints have not featured such long aerial attacks in their offense in recent years with the aging Drew Brees at the helm. That won't be the case with Winston, who eclipsed 5,000 yards passing in his 2019 season with Tampa Bay.

However, the starting job isn't with Winston yet, with Payton telling reporters after the game, "When we know what direction we're going, we'll let you guys know." Taysom Hill, who went 3-1 as a starter for the Saints last season while Brees was injured, recorded 138 passing yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars.