I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out why Payton has been pushing the Taysom train so much. There are only two explanations:
1. Payton really believes Taysom is our future
2. Payton wants someone to pony up a pick when we tender him.
I also wondered why Brees hasn’t announced a decision. I felt like it would be a no-brainer that he’d come back. Everyone saw how anxious he was on the sideline while he was out. He didn’t look like a guy who’s ready to retire.
Then, after Payton talked about Taysom being the future, Brees even went on some national shows and said he’d be glad to split reps with Taysom as a passing-of-the-torch year if he comes back.
Which means, again, one of two things:
1. Everything being said is true: Taysom is the future and Brees will be the “bridge” while Taysom transitions into more QB reps.
or....what I think is actually going on:
2. Brees is coming back. And not as a bridge or anything else. He (and Payton) realize they need to push the Taysom narrative to get someone to give up a pick.
Whether it’s drafting the QB of the future, someone to help right now, or both, we need more high picks. By delaying his decision, Drew is letting the Taysom hype train build. And Payton is fanning the flames.
We all love Taysom. And I do believe that Payton will transition to a mobile QB tailored offense soon enough. But I can’t see Drew walking away yet. And the only reason I can think of to delay what seems to be an obvious decision is to build more league wide interest in Taysom.