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Saints quarterback Jameis Winston started the first three games from a back injury. He never saw the field again.
Even when the Saints were stuck in a 2-6 stretch following Winston’s injury, they never turned their attention to Winston again after he was healthy enough to return.
Allen had a one-word answer when asked Monday if he rated Winston well enough.
“Yes,” Allen replied without elaborating.
Winston rushed for 858 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions, and the Saints were 2-1 on his starts this season. Dalton rushed for 2,871 yards with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions as the Saints went 6-8 in his starts.
“Look, I think initially it was the injury issue,” Allen said of SI.com’s John Hendrix of Winston’s bench press. And then, as time went by, I felt like Andy was the one who gave us a better chance of winning. And we haven’t won enough games, so all those things are always questioned and scrutinized. I don’t know if second opinion is the right word, but I’m being questioned. And I feel comfortable with that.”
Winston is signed in 2023 while Dalton is slated for free agency.
The Saints will certainly try to improve their position in the off-season.
“I think the quarterback position is always going to be the biggest position,” Allen said, “so that’s definitely going to be a position that we’re evaluating, as well as everything else.”