What It Means:

The contract also includes $21 million in guarantees, implying that the team views Winston as their starter for at least the upcoming 2022 season. Winston helped the Saints jump out to a 5-2 record last season before suffering a torn ACL injury. While the team was reportedly in the running to trade for Deshaun Watson, they have now instead decided to return to Winston for at least one more year.

The Saints limited Winston's volume as a passer last season, but the veteran quietly posted one of the more efficient seasons of his career, averaging a career-best 8.21 average adjusted yards per attempt. He completed 89 of 151 attempts for 1,114 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. That he did this with the Saints' barren receiver depth chart without Michael Thomas bodes well for his 2022 outlook with what ought to be an improved group of pass-catchers.