NFL Betting Odds Signal Jameis Winston To Win Saints QB Battle

• Jameis Winston is a sizable -270 favorite to be the Week 1 starter for the New Orleans Saints.
• Taysom Hill has odds of +180 odds to win the quarterback starting job.

NEW ORLEANS – With Drew Brees’ announcing his retirement, there is an open job under center in New Orleans for the first time in 15 years. Jameis Winston is projected to be named the starting quarterback for Week 1, but Taysom Hill has been involved in the offense for longer.

New Orleans Saints Week 1 Starter Betting Odds

• Jameis Winston -270
• Taysom Hill +180

Jameis Winston A Heavy Favorite To Start Week 1

Jameis Winston is thought to be heir to the throne of Drew Brees after Brees announced his retirement earlier in the offseason. His competition is Taysom Hill who is the betting underdog.

Hill started four games last season while Brees was hurt even while Winston watched from the sidelines. Despite Hill being ahead on the depth charts last year, sports betting sites list Winston is the sizable favorite to start Week 1 for the New Orleans Saints.

Two Completely Different Styles

Winston has shown that he’s a capable NFL-level starting quarterback. In 2019, he threw for an NFL-high 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns which was second-most in the league. However, he also threw 30 interceptions, nine more than the next highest player. If he can limit turnovers, he could be one of the better QBs in the NFL.

Above all, Brees seemingly told Winston he was the new starting quarterback for the Saints.

Taysom Hill, on the other hand, is not much of a passing threat. He’s a great weapon to use as a receiver, rushing quarterback, or decoy, but has thrown for just 1,047 yards in his career. Hill is more of a gadget player designed to keep defenses guessing rather than a productive piece in the offense.

Even in college, Hill wasn’t much of a true quarterback. He compiled 43 touchdowns and 31 interceptions in his career while completing just 58.2% of his passes. He’s also three years older than Winston, so he can’t even be qualified as a project.

The Verdict

Hill will likely have a role in the offense, just probably not under center. Virtually all signs point towards Winston taking the first snap in Week 1, but anything could happen. The opening kickoff could get returned to the 1-yard line where Hill takes the snap to rush it in.

Anomalies aside, it’s Winston’s job to lose and the betting odds should probably be slanted more in his favor than they already are. NFL bettors should feel confident laying the juice on Winston to be the Week 1 starting quarterback.