New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston has offered a brilliant insight into life without head coach Sean Payton.

The New Orleans Saints and Jameis Winston are entering something of the unknown this season, as they move into the next phase of their development and ushering in the new era following thew departure of quarterback Drew Brees after the 2020 season and head coach Sean Payton this past January.

The two had pretty much revived the Saints as a franchise on their own, turning them from also-rans in the league to a side that became perineal Super Bowl contenders, even winning the whole thing back in 2009. 

Winston is entering into his second full season as the starter in New Orleans, with his 2021 season ruined by an ACL in week 8, but now he has to do it with a new man at the helm following the appointment of Dennis Allen to the role this offseason.

Taking a step back?

The problem for Winston, is that in losing Payton, he is losing someone who is renowned as one of the better offensive minds in the game of football. With him and Brees in charge, the Saints had the league’s best offense in terms of yards six times, with another five times ranking in the top five, whilst also leading the league in scoring twice.

Part of that came down to his play-calling abilities and being able to get the absolute best out of all the players at his disposal, with the best example perhaps being his use of Tayson Hill as a Swiss-Army Knife that can play pretty much any role on offense:

But according to Winston, losing Payton might have a few positives.  

It does have its benefits

Speaking in an interview with Albert Breer for SI.com, Winston gave a little peak into what life is like for him now that he is entering the new regime with offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael taking charge, and it seems as though he quite likes the way things are set up now, because it takes a little bit off his mind:

“The quarterback room is not different at all, we just don’t have Sean busting in the room with mad genius plays. That’s the only difference. It’s a little quieter.”

Winston has had his troubles in the past, most notably the 2019 season where he threw 30 interceptions, although he did also lead the league in passing yards with 5,109 to go along with 33 touchdowns passes of his own, so perhaps a simpler playbook might be what he needs to flourish in this league.

Whether or not that will come this season with the Saints though, we’ll just have to wait and see.