The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have ended their season last Sunday with their Week 17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but the work is just beginning for this team as they head into the offseason.
The biggest question that needs answering is what to do with quarterback Jameis Winston, who had a year for the ages in 2019 (both good and bad). Winston threw for over 5,000 yards, becoming just the eighth quarterback ever to reach that mark and the first in franchise history. But, he also became the first player ever to throw for 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a season.
The Bucs were hoping that at this point they’d have some clarity on what to do with the former No. 1 overall pick, who was playing on the final year of his rookie contract. But, after such an up-and-down 2019 campaign, the team still seems uncertain about what to do, despite reports that Winston is slated to return.
And, according to head coach Bruce Arians, it doesn’t seem like we’ll get an answer about Winston’s future anytime soon.
HC Bruce Arians says the Bucs’ evaluation process on Jameis Winston could produce an internal decision within a couple weeks but for strategic purposes the team won’t necessarily reveal it for a while after that.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) December 30, 2019
It’s very telling that Arians keeps sidestepping questions about Winston, given that he’s spoken about other players and their futures without hesitation.
Bruce Arians says Shaq Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh are all top priorities for him in free agency. He really wants to keep the front seven together.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) December 30, 2019
Bruce Arians on the priority level of getting WR Chris Godwin signed to an extension: “It’s high.”
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) December 30, 2019
It’ll be interesting to see what the future holds for the Bucs and their franchise quarterback. One thing is for sure, though — if Winston returns in 2020, he won’t be given as much leeway as he was this year.
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