It could be good both ways if we do indeed get Payton. He could sell Hopkins on his vision of the team or he could just try & find a trade partner & garner at least a 1st round pick. I truly think with a strong running game & Kyler being under center we'll see his true ability. It's never gonna totally show if he stays in shotgun & tries to play the way he played in college & under KK. There's a reason why play action from under center has been around all this time, simply because it works. The split seconds it freezes the 2nd level of defense is a huge advantage.
Yep. I also think people underestimate how much Payton will adjust to his QB as well.
I watched Jameis Winston, under Payton, and he didnt have him doing a bunch of three step drops. Just wasnt his game. However, what he did do was put him under center and do enough play action to keep the defense honest.
He actually had Jameis doing ok without #1 WR Michael Thomas. When Brees was hurt he leaned on the run game with Teddy Bridgewater.
I think with Kliff he really had an issue figuring out Kyler when he's without Hopkins. People have to remember that Kyler played 4 full games with a #1 WR. Not just this season, but in the last 15 games he's played.
However, a guy like Payton has the experience and the ability to counter without a #1. He'd likely have us really leaning into the run game and doing play action to take the pressure off Kyler. That gives me hope in the event we do trade Hopkins. However, its why I really want him to stay.
