As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ (7-9) season came to an end today in the 28-22 overtime loss against the Atlanta Falcons, it ended the game and their season in the only way that it could have: a Jameis Winston pick-six.
When the Buccaneers quarterback took the podium at the press conference following the loss, Winston fielded questions that mainly focused on his interceptions on the year.
“Yeah, I’ve thrown a lot of interceptions here, but I’ve also thrown a lot of touchdowns, and a lot of yards.” Winston replied to a question about how to fix the number of interceptions, namely starting with the two pick-sixes against the San Francisco 49ers all the way back in Week 1 of the season.
“I’ve got to get better, I’ve got to fix it.” That was the tone of the Buccaneers’ quarterback during the postgame presser, however, he also made it well known that while he has some negative plays, the has just as many- if not more- positive plays. “Look at my numbers, I’m balling. I’ve just got to stop giving it to the other team.” Which basically sums up Jameis Winston’s NFL career with the Bucs.
I’ve called the Buccaneers’ situation with Winston the Jameis Winston Conundrum all season, and it hasn’t changed. Yes, he throws a lot of interceptions, however he also is the spark that puts up the yards and points on the board for the Buccaneers’ high-powered offense.
In Sunday’s loss to the Falcons, Winston became just the eighth quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in a single season. He also added 33 touchdowns to his 30 interceptions. Pair that with the fact that running back Ronald Jones became the Buccaneers’ first 100-yard rusher this season, and you’ve got yourself into a real pickle. When you look at the quarterbacks on expiring contracts in the offseason, who is an upgrade from Winston? Furthermore, who is actually going to be a free agent and leave their current team? Does the good outweigh the bad, or are the turnovers too insurmountable to look beyond?
We’ve seen this Buccaneers team start clicking in the latter half of the season, and I have been and will continue to be on record saying that Winston needs to be given another season now that he’s bought into the Bruce Arians system, and the sole focus this offseason can be on his decision making. So, the next question is do you sign him, transition or franchise tag him? I’d say the transition tag is the safest bet and possibly try to bring in a Marcus Mariota to back him up on a cheaper deal. There have been reports that Winston is wanting $30 million, but there is nothing that’s been confirmed, so take that with a grain of salt. I’d also be all right with Winston being re-signed by the team. In all of my years watching, covering and talking about football, I’ve never seen a player who could be considered both the best case and worst case scenario. Sure, Brett Favre was a gunslinger, much like Winston. However, Favre played in a much different era.
It’s a huge blemish to have 30 interceptions on the season, but 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns cannot go ignored. To start the season, Winston threw two pick-sixes to the 49ers, and to end the season Winston threw a pick-six in overtime to the Atlanta Falcons.
Thus, I give you the Jameis Winston Conundrum.