If there were still any doubts about Jameis Winston's ability to become the next starting quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, perhaps he squashed them all on Monday night.
In the first quarter of the Saints' 23-21 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Caesars Superdome, Winston completed 9 of 10 passes for 123 yards, and connected with receiver Marquez Callaway for a pair of deep touchdowns. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Winston's first pass to Callaway traveled 53.3 yards in the air -- the most air distance on a Saints passing score since 2016.
"Jameis has shown he can have big football games," former NFL quarterback Steve Beuerlein told the Reiter Than You show on Tuesday. "The question with Jameis has always been about whether he can protect that ball. And I think the year off last year is going to end up being the best thing that could've ever happened to him. I really think he's going to be a guy, by the end of this season, who may be in the conversation for Comeback Player of the Year.
"He has the ability to make all the throws and to play and produce at a very high level. And I think in an offense like Sean Payton's, he's going to be protecting that football. He's got the message about, if he wants to play, he has to get better from that perspective. And I think it'll end up being a really positive year for him."
Winston, the first overall pick in the 2015 draft, agreed to re-sign with the Saints for up to $12 million this spring. The 27-year-old was used sparingly during the 2020 season, as he sat behind future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees while he went through his final year in the NFL.
In five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Winston went 28-42 overall, and accrued a 61.3 completion percentage, 19,737 yards, 121 touchdowns, and 88 interceptions. The former Heisman Trophy winner also threw for 5,000 yards in 2019, but became the first player in league history to record at least 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a season.
Of course, Winston isn't the only quarterback vying for the Saints' starting job. Dual-threat star Taysom Hill -- who signed a voidable four-year, $140 million extension this past offseason -- completed 88 of 121 passes for 928 yards with four passing touchdowns and eight rushing scores in 2020.
The Saints will open the 2021 regular season at home against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 12. According to the William Hill Sportsbook, New Orleans currently has the second-best odds (+300) to win the NFC South division, and the sixth-best odds (+1500) to win the conference.
The entire NFL conversation between Beuerlein and Reiter can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the Reiter Than You show on Twitter @sportsreiter and @CBSSportsRadio, and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.