Payton: Brees set high standard for next QB

The New Orleans Saints are entering a new era following Drew Brees' retirement this offseason.

Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill currently highlight New Orleans' quarterback depth chart, and although head coach Sean Payton has yet to name a starter, he knows whoever steps up under center will need to handle the pressure of succeeding one of the greatest signal-callers ever.

"There's a little bit of a standard, and it's kind of high," Payton said Friday on "NFL Total Access."

He added, "I think both of the players we've talked about have had the benefit of training, being in meeting rooms with (Brees), and seeing the daily grind, and I think we go from there. Obviously, there's a high bar for our team. ... I think both of those guys will rise to the challenge. They both understand the importance of the reps that we're going to have in this upcoming training camp."

Hill was Brees' backup last season, appearing in eight contests (four starts). He tossed 928 yards and four touchdowns against two interceptions in those games and posted a 3-1 record as a starter.

Winston, who started for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2015-19, attempted just 11 passes during four brief appearances in his first season with New Orleans in 2020.

The Saints re-signed Winston to a one-year deal and handed Hill a one-year extension this offseason. The club also drafted Ian Book out of Notre Dame in the fourth round.

New Orleans is set to report for training camp in the last week of July.

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