Tag: winston contract

Jameis Winston comes in at No. 29, Shaq Barrett No. 9 in ESPN’s list of Top 100 free agents

See where some of your favorite Tampa Bay Buccaneers players land on ESPN’s list of the top 100 free agents of 2020.

One week from today, the mayhem that is NFL free agency will begin in full force with the start of the new league year on March 18. Teams will be scrambling to fill roster spots, hoping they have the money and resources to lure some of this year’s prized free agents to their team.

The Buccaneers will have to address several free agents of their own, including Shaq Barrett and Jameis Winston. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the other week that the Bucs could wind up using the franchise tag on Barrett if the two sides can’t come to a long-term agreement. That scenario may not be the ideal one for Winston, who is hoping the team brings him back after his 30-interception season.

So, where do Barrett and Winston find themselves on ESPN’s list of the top 100 free agents of 2020? Kevin Seifert has Barrett in his top 10, putting him at No. 9, while pointing out his mega 2019 season.

“Rarely has a player raised his value more in a contract year than Barrett did in 2019. After signing a one-year contract with the Buccaneers worth $5 million, Barrett led the NFL with 19.5 sacks. Although not all sacks are equal, it would be difficult to record that many without displaying some exceptional pass-rushing skills and playmaking along the way.”

Winston made the top 30, coming in at No. 29.

“All you need to know about Winston is that in 2019 he became the first player in NFL history to throw at least 30 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions in the same season. His downfield explosiveness is undeniable, but his turnover rate is totally out of sync with today’s passing-friendly league. It had been 31 years since a quarterback threw as many as 30 interceptions in one season. The Buccaneers seem determined to evaluate other options.”

The Bucs will of course want to do their due diligence before committing to Winston one way or the other, but they should not ignore the words of former players who think Winston is poised for a big Year 2 under Bruce Arians. Tampa Bay will need to determine if the risk of bringing in another quarterback is worth it.

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Jameis Winston’s latest Instagram story might offer a glimpse into his current state

This latest Instagram story from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston may offer a look into his current state of mind.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston was hoping the 2019 season would be the defining moment of his career, when he’d finally prove to everyone that he was worthy of being the first overall pick in 2015.

But Winston’s season was filled with extremes both high and low, as he threw for over 5,000 yards and 33 touchdowns, but also had a league-leading 30 interceptions. Now, he’ll have to wait and see what the Bucs decide to do with him since he was playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.

The uncertainty is probably causing Winston some stress, since millions of dollars are on the line here. And, this latest post on Winston’s Instagram story might give us a glimpse into his current state of mind, which is to say, trying to maintain positivity through uncertainty.

Take a look.

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NFL exec on Jameis Winston: ‘I don’t see how you can pay him’

See why one NFL executive thinks the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be crazy to give QB Jameis Winston a big-money contract.

Super Bowl LIV may be the main event come Sunday, but Super Bowl week is all about the latest rumors swirling about as the league prepares for free agency in a little over a month.

With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers having a number of big-name free agents that can hit the open market, it’ll be interesting to see which financial moves and players take precedence when the time comes to open the bank.

When it comes to quarterback Jameis Winston, who had a statistical season for the ages, throwing for over 5,000 yards, while also throwing 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions, one NFL exec told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler he doesn’t think the quarterback warrants a big contract after what he showed in 2019.

“I don’t see how you can pay him. It would have to be pretty reasonably low if they did. You can’t give him big money based on the way he played. He won’t have a market.”

Should the Buccaneers bring Winston back in 2020, I think most people believe it’ll be on a short-term deal. Basically, 2020 would be the final year for Winston to prove himself as the team’s franchise quarterback going forward.

The question now is, how much will it cost to retain Winston’s services?

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Are the Carolina Panthers a potential destination for Jameis Winston?

If the Buccaneers decide to move on from Jameis Winston, could the quarterback wind up landing with another NFC South team?

The biggest question entering the 2019 season was what would the future hold for quarterback Jameis Winston beyond this season? Playing on the final year of his rookie contract, Winston was in a “prove it” year, hoping to secure a new long-term deal to remain the team’s franchise quarterback.

But, after a 7-9 season in which Winston threw for over 5,000 yards but also became the first quarterback ever to throw for 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a season, the Bucs franchise seems even less certain about what to do with the former Heisman Trophy winner.

So, if the Bucs actually choose to move on from Winston, where could he possibly land? Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox today listed five potential landing spots for Winston, including Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, Miami and Los Angeles (Chargers). However, the one team that really stands out on the list is the Bucs’ NFC South rival, the Carolina Panthers.

If the Panthers decide to move on from the oft-injured Cam Newton, Winston could be a viable option. And, playing for Carolina could theoretically help Winston’s turnover problem.

Here’s part of Knox’s reasoning:

“Winston would have plenty of quality targets in the passing game, but [Christian] McCaffrey’s presence means he wouldn’t have to carry the offense as he did in Tampa Bay. The running back, who produced 1,387 rushing yards and 1,005 receiving yards in 2019, would take a ton of pressure off the quarterback. In theory, that would lead to fewer forced throws.”

It’s hard to imagine Winston suiting up for another NFC South team, but stranger things have happened. The ball is in Tampa Bay’s court right now. We’ll just have to wait and see what the team decides.

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Happy 26th birthday to Jameis Winston

Take a look at some pictures of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston in honor of his 26th birthday.

Over the weekend, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh enjoyed a little rest and relaxation in Napa Valley with his fiancee to celebrate his birthday, which is today.

But, Suh isn’t the only Buccaneer celebrating a birthday today. Quarterback Jameis Winston turned 26 today, still quite young for a franchise QB. The question, of course, is whether or not Winston will remain the Bucs’ franchise quarterback next season. While he did throw for 30 touchdowns and over 5,000 yards this season, he also threw 30 interceptions, including a pick-six in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons in the Bucs’ Week 17 loss.

Head coach Bruce Arians said the team will evaluate Winston over the next few weeks, but that an announcement of their decision won’t be imminent. So, while we, like Winston, wait and see what the future holds, here are some pictures of the quarterback, courtesy of the Bucs’ Twitter account, to hold you over.

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Jameis Winston is on pace to join this elite class of quarterbacks

After a career day in Week 14 against the Indianapolis Colts, Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston is on pace to eclipse 5,000 yards.

Say what you want about Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston and his habit of throwing interceptions, but there’s no denying the guy can put up yards and points.

In last Sunday’s Week 14 win over the Indianapolis Colts, Winston threw for a career-high 456 yards to go along with four touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown. But, Winston also threw three interceptions, two of which led to eventual Colts touchdowns, including one pick-six. On the year, the Bucs signal caller has a league-high 23 interceptions, and is on pace to finish the year with a jaw-dropping 28 picks.

But, he’s also on pace to do something historic; something that would propel him into a class of elite quarterbacks. With his monster passing game on Sunday, Winston now has 4,115 yards on the year, already a new career-high. He’s also now on pace to finish the season with 5,065 passing yards, which would make him just the eighth quarterback in NFL history to accomplish that feat, joining Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Patrick Mahomes, Dan Marino and Matthew Stafford. Not even Aaron Rodgers has achieved that mark.

Whether or not this season will be deemed a success by the Bucs remains to be seen, especially when you consider they still have to figure out what to do with Winston beyond this year. But, having your quarterback eclipse 5,000 yards in his first season playing for a new coach might be reason enough to overlook the interceptions and roll the dice one more time.

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Jameis Winston throws another pick-six and fans are losing it

Fans went wild on Twitter after Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston threw another pick-six.

This is getting old. Jameis Winston, who was intercepted by Colts linebacker Darius Leonard on his first pass attempt of the game today, was picked off again by Leonard in the second quarter, only this time, Leonard decided to do the scoring himself, taking it 80 yards for the touchdown.

That’s 14 points off Winston picks the Colts have gotten today, and, not surprisingly, Indy went up 24-14 over Tampa Bay before Winston connected with tight end Cameron Brate for a three-yard score right before halftime. Indy would get a field goal in the closing seconds to take a 27-21 lead into the half.

The interception was Winston’s 22nd of the season, and his miscues are getting out of control.

Fans let him know about it on social media. Take a look.

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Jameis Winston’s 20th interception puts him in a class with Jay Cutler

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston now shares this “honor” with former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston certainly has his defenders still, even after last week’s four-interception game against the New Orleans Saints.

It might be hard for those defenders to stand by him after watching him today against the Atlanta Falcons, though. Despite a 71-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Godwin, Winston threw two interceptions in the first quarter, with the second one eventually leading to a Falcons touchdown.

The two picks give Winston 20 on the season, a new career high. And, those 20 picks in 11 games puts him in a class with former NFL quarterback, and interception aficionado, Jay Cutler.

Take a look.

Winston is the first Buccaneers quarterback since Josh Freeman in 2011 to have 20 or more interceptions on the year. Freeman had 22 in 15 games for the Bucs that year, so Winston could easily break that mark before the year is over — or even today’s game against Atlanta.

It’s time to stop defending Winston. The Buccaneers, and more importantly their fans, deserve a whole lot better.

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