Jameis Winston agreed to a one-deal, $1.1 million deal to be a backup quarterback for the Saints. This proves the Patriots didn’t want Winston even at an affordable cost.
The Patriots didn’t even want Jameis Winston at an affordable rate.
Winston signed on to be a backup for the New Orleans Saints earlier this week, inking a $1.1 million contract where the most he can earn is $3.4 million in incentives. While the Patriots have yet to sign an experienced starting caliber quarterback since Tom Brady’s departure, Winston’s contract seems to be proof they didn’t really want him.
Initially it seemed that the Patriots weren’t interested in Winston because his asking price was too high for the Patriots. However, Winston’s affordable deal to be a backup shows the Patriots had no interests in signing him.
The counter argument to that is Winston took the discount to learn behind Drew Brees, something clearly lacking in New England. Of course where there’s no Brees in Foxboro, there would have been a chance to start.
Thus far, the Patriots only move at quarterback has been signing Brian Hoyer. A quarterback who won’t excite any fan base with his name as he’s been a career backup. The Patriots have voiced they are going forward with Jarrett Stidham, the former Auburn Tiger was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the draft a year ago.
While the announcement to make Stidham the guy may have seemed like smokescreen, it is certainly looking like the Patriots are serious. Now that Andy Dalton has been released, only time will tell if the Patriots will pursue him or let another veteran quarterback pass them by. Currently, the former 2015 MVP and longtime Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is still a free agent.
The Patriots regime will either look very smart or very silly depending how things shakeout with Stidham in 2020. For a team led by defense last season, the Patriots may be making the best move for their franchise going forward. It may be much easier to turn to their second-year quarterback. He’s familiar with the system and will more than likely assume the role as a game manager.
If that is the case, having a strong arm quarterback like Winston isn’t necessary. While the former Rookie of the Year has shown tremendous upside, the Patriots may want to stay away from Winston’s risk vs reward mentality. There also may be a bit of ego involved.
The most obvious reason for rolling with Stidham over all other options is Bill Belichick sending a message that it is his system and not the quarterback responsible for success in New England. If he can win with Stidham, it may be his way of getting back at Brady.
Then again, there’d be no better burn on Brady than winning a Super Bowl with the quarterback he replaced in Tampa Bay.