Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (Mandatory Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
How Jameis Winston’s impending free agency saga unfolds will end up being a fascinating case study for NFL fans years down the line.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston is about to be a free agent.
The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion was drafted No. 1 overall by Tampa Bay in the 2015 NFL Draft. After showing promise as a rookie, Winston’s five years as the Buccaneers’ starting quarterback have been a wild ride. He’s thrown a ton of touchdowns and he’s thrown a ton of interceptions. He’s had LASIK surgery done on his eyes and he has eaten a W before.
Though the 30 touchdowns were great last year, the 30 interceptions were horrendous. The last one resulted in a game-ending interception in Week 17. This could very well have been the last pass Winston threw in Buccaneers uniform.
Assuming Winston has played his last snap in Tampa Bay, his market is one of great intrigue. Is he still a starting quarterback in the league? Will he be brought in somewhere to challenge an incumbent for a starting job? Is he a career backup at this point of his career?
Unless he wants to go to a bad situation, Winston isn’t probably anyone’s top choice to be a starting quarterback for next season. This is why he is likely to go to a team where he can compete for the starting job in 2020. Teams like the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers make a lot of sense for Winston as a free agent.
Though he was an incredibly productive passer in Tampa Bay, his decision-making and inability to get to the NFC playoffs even once are reasons he’s not likely to be back with the Buccaneers in 2020. But don’t be shocked for a second if he makes a good team like the Bears or Raiders better upon his arrival. He just might have what it takes to get those teams back into the playoffs.