Saints' Payton: Acquiring new QB 'a challenge' at this point

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Saints' Sean Payton: Acquiring a new QB 'a challenge' at this point of season

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 11/1/21

The New Orleans Saints improved to 5-2 on the season via Sunday's 36-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but lost starting quarterback Jameis Winston for the remainder of the campaign because of the torn ACL and damage to his MCL he suffered in the first half of that game. Trevor Siemian and Taysom Hill are expected to be on New Orleans' depth chart at the position moving forward, and Saints head coach Sean Payton suggested the team won't be acquiring a different signal-caller this fall or ahead of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline:

Payton said it would "a challenge" to bring in a QB at this point of the season that is unfamiliar with his offense. He didn't say it was impossible but with QBs already familiar with the system, it sounds like he believes the best route is to go with the QBs they have.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) November 1, 2021

Hill has been sidelined because of a concussion, and his status for this coming Sunday's matchup against the 3-4 Atlanta Falcons is up in the air. Siemian replaced the injured Winston against Tampa Bay and completed 16-of-29 passes for 159 yards and one touchdown in guiding the Saints to what some would consider an upset victory.

Former New Orleans starter Drew Brees said Sunday night he is not considering ending his retirement to save the Saints, and New Orleans reportedly isn't interested in signing free agent and 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton. Newton was released by the New England Patriots back on Aug. 31 but received a call from the Seattle Seahawks after Russell Wilson went down to an injury last month.

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