You say he was improving in 'nearly all categories' - So...looking at that 2021 season (2nd year under Payton), I am looking at key stats for a QB (TDs, Completion %, QBR). Please tell me which categories you are referring to as 'improving' (I did not include the final week he got hurt.) Unfortunately I think you will see that the numbers are much like Winston's play...erratic:
Right, he erratic(ed) his way to a 4-2 record and a better than 4-1 TD-INT ratio.....I'd take that right now any day.....to say he wasn't improving as the season went on is downright delusional.....