Winston 'not taking anything for granted' after winning starting job

Jameis Winston is once again a starting quarterback in the NFL after earning the right to succeed Drew Brees for the New Orleans Saints. On Wednesday, the former No. 1 overall pick expressed his gratitude for the chance to revitalize his career.

"It's just fun," Winston said, according to John DeShazier of the Saints' official website. "It's a blessing. It's a blessing to have this opportunity to lead the pack, and I'm just grateful for it. It's been more than a year removed for me having the opportunity, and I'm not taking anything for granted. I'm just blessed, and grateful."

Winston emerged as the winner in a battle with Taysom Hill - who started four games last year while Brees was injured - after throwing two long touchdown passes in the second preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"It felt great," Winston said of being named the starter. "I think the whole training camp, we made each other better, and this team grew while we were competing. I was blessed to get the nod, and I'm just grateful for that. I'm grateful for my teammates for pushing me, I'm grateful for Taysom for pushing me, and us helping each other get better."

Winston last started a game in December 2019 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who opted to allow the signal-caller to hit free agency after five inconsistent seasons.

In his final year in Tampa Bay, Winston was the first quarterback to throw 30 touchdowns with 30 interceptions and also became the eighth passer to register a 5,000-yard campaign.

The Saints will begin the post-Brees era against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, with the game set to take place in Jacksonville as a result of Hurricane Ida.