You read that headline right, folks. (Man, isn’t the NFL offseason great?)
While Jameis Winston certainly had a tumultuous 2019 season, the idea of him signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as NBC Sports’ Peter King wants, seems a little far fetched.
Despite throwing for 5,109 yards, 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions last season, Winston’s future with the Buccaneers is cloudier now than when the season started. The team likely wants to see what’s available in free agency before making a commitment to Winston one way or the other. So, if Winston does end up leaving the bay, could Pittsburgh really be in the cards?
It definitely sounds like a crazy idea, but the more you hear King talk about it in his “Football Morning In America” column, the more sense it seems to make for both the Steelers and Winston.
Per King:
“I think I really want the Steelers to sign Jameis Winston. Sit for a year, get him ready to conditionally succeed Ben Roethlisberger, and if the interceptions continue in 2021, he’s gone after one season. Risky, but the upside could be pretty great. Now, the contract would have to be one Winston would want to do; he’d likely have a chance to play sooner elsewhere if he leaves Tampa. I’m just talking about a coach-player relationship (Mike Tomlin-Winston) dynamic I’d like to see. Plus, I’d rather have Winston on the rebound than Mason Rudolph or Devlin Hodges or a draft pick that could be used in a wiser way.”
Would Winston really be willing to sit for a year just to have a shot at the Steelers job? That seems highly unlikely, but if the contract is sweet enough it could entice him to at least consider it.
Still, I’d say smart money is on Winston returning to Tampa Bay, at least for one more year.
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