The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will need to address their list of unrestricted agents once the free agency period opens in a month. One of the biggest names on that list is quarterback Jameis Winston, who had a roller-coaster season to say the least as he threw for 5,109 yards, 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions.
Given that Winston was playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, the Bucs can let him walk if they decide it’s time for a change. Winston seems to be doing everything he can to keep the Bucs interested, even going so far as to get LASIK surgery recently to correct his nearsightedness.
The Bucs haven’t decided yet, at least not publicly, whether they’ll bring Winston back for a second year in Bruce Arians’ system. So, if and when Winston hits the open market, he could find himself a part of NFL history, as he won’t be the only 5,000-yard quarterback looking to get paid.
“The latest [5,000-yard passer] was Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, a one-man roller coaster who led the NFL with 5,109 yards passing. Among the top-class contingent he joined in the 5,000-yard club are Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Saints signal-caller Drew Brees. The three of them are impending unrestricted free agents and in the history of the game, no 5,000-yard thrower has ever achieved that feat and gone on to play for another team. Winston might well be the No. 1 contender for that to happen. Or perhaps it’s Brady. Either way, it’s never happened before.”
Given that there have only been eight players in NFL history — with Winston being the eighth — to throw for 5,000 yards in a season, the fact that three of the quarterbacks ever to do so are hitting the open market at the same time is mind-boggling.
As for whether or not Winston is the most likely contender to switch teams, let’s just say it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Brady and Brees, both of whom have won Super Bowls for their respective teams, remain where they are. Winston, however, has yet to lead his team to the postseason in five years.
Winston Watch 2020 is in full swing, folks.
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