Bill Belichick: Jameis Winston is a very good quarterback

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For many years, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Saints head coach Sean Payton didn’t have to worry about developing a new starting quarterback.

That changed for Belichick last year when Tom Brady signed with the Buccaneers. That changed for Payton in 2021 with the retirement of Drew Brees.

Now New England are starting a rookie at Mac Jones and New Orleans have a former No. 1 overall pick at Jameis Winston as QB1.

Belichick coached once against Winston – in 2017, when the Patriots beat the Buccaneers 19-14. But Belichick isn’t publicly underestimating the Saints’ new starting quarterback.

“He’s a really good quarterback,” Belichick said Wednesday, via WEEI’s Ryan Hannable. “He threw for 5,000 yards in Tampa, so it’s not like this guy hasn’t been productive. He is tall. He is strong. It is precise. He has a good touch on the ball. The offensive he led in Tampa was very different from the one he led in New Orleans. But basically he’s a big, strong guy who can throw the ball with precision. He’s very good on the pitch. He’s a tough guy to face. It is strong in the pocket. He can make all the throws on the field. He’s pretty good.

Winston threw five touchdowns in New Orleans’ first week win over Green Bay. But he didn’t have as much success against Carolina last week, finishing 11 of 22 passes for 111 yards with a pair of interceptions. He’s also been sacked four times, despite running for a touchdown.

Belichick pointed out that Winston is able to play with his legs.

“If you’ve seen him run with the ball, I don’t know why you would want him to run with the ball in space,” Belichick said. “I don’t think that’s a good idea at all. It is difficult to face. He is fast. crush people. I don’t think you wanted him to go wild in your high school.

Winston rushed for six touchdowns as a rookie, but has only five rushing touchdowns since 2016.

It will be an important game for Winston, who could benefit from a more positive performance following last week’s misfire against a division rival.