Saints QB Jameis Winston – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The New Orleans Saints have officially named former Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston as Drew Brees’ successor. Winston, who re-signed with New Orleans on a one-year contract worth up to $12 million ($5.5 million guaranteed), beat out Taysom Hill for the starting QB duties. ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news on Twitter.

Winston signed a one-year deal with the Saints worth $1.1 million after the Bucs let him go in free agency following the 2019 season. That year, which was his fifth-year option, saw Winston throw for 5,109 yards, which is a franchise record, along with 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. The Bucs finished 7-9 after a 7-7 start in Bruce Arians’ first year as head coach in 2019.

Saints QB Jameis Winston – Photo by: USA Today

Winston became the first NFL quarterback to throw for 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in the same season. And his seven pick-sixes that year were also an NFL single season record.

Hill filled in for Brees last year while he missed time due to broken ribs, going 3-1 as a starter. Winston saw some action in four games, completing 7-of-11 passes (63.6 percent) for 75 yards, including one completion for 12 yards against the Bucs in New Orleans’ 38-3 win at Tampa Bay. He also threw a 56-yard touchdown pass on a trick play against the Bucs in a 30-20 playoff loss at New Orleans.

Winston did a remarkable job of limiting turnovers in two preseason games to win the starting role.

He will get his first start for the Saints on opening day against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in New Orleans on September 12. The Bucs travel to New Orleans to play the Saints on Halloween, October 31. The Saints travel to Tampa Bay to play the Bucs on December 19 at 8:20 p.m. for a Sunday Night Football clash.