Buccaneers Confirm They Don’t Want Jameis Winston Back
The Buccaneers confirmed they don’t want Jameis Winston back with comments head coach Bruce Arians made this past week.
It is something of an open secret that Tampa Bay does not hold Winston in high regard. Arians has taken multiple shots at the former Florida State star since the end of last season and made it clear that he is not a top priority for the organization.
Part of Arians’ frustration when it comes to Winston is the fact that things are either really good or really bad with him – there is no in-between.
He is either launching up awe-inspiring touchdown throws that leave your jaw on the floor or throwing the world’s dumbest interceptions.
This week, at the NFL Scouting Combine, Arians was asked point blank: do you feel like you can win with Winston as your starting quarterback.
As usual, Arians was extremely blunt and honest in his response.
“Five thousand yards and 30 touchdowns is awesome,” he said.
“Thirty interceptions … Can we win with Jameis? Hell, yeah. There’s no doubt. As a head coach, you have to decide ‘Is there a better option?’”
Arians on weighing the good and bad of Jameis Winston: “Five thousand yards and 30 touchdowns (33) is awesome. Thirty interceptions … Can we win with Jameis? Hell, yeah. There’s no doubt. As a head coach, you have to decide ‘Is there a better option?’”
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 25, 2020
A reporter then asked a natural follow-up to that statement. Who would be a better option?
“Tom Brady,” he replied.
Lots of quotes of significance from Arians, especially relating to Winston. Definitely aware that there could be available options he would want to consider. “Tom Brady,” he answered when asked for an example of someone he might prefer.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 25, 2020
Arians’ honesty is refreshing, but still bizarre. Most of the time head coaches like to protect the fragile egos of young quarterbacks. That has not been the strategy in Tampa Bay, though.
Down the stretch of 2019, Winston managed to record six interceptions over the final two games of the year. That is not great.
On the year, Winston recorded 5,109 yards, 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. One season earlier, in 2018, he amassed 2,992 yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 picks.
The one thing that the 26-year-old has consistently proven over the course of his NFL career is that he has all the raw talent necessary to succeed in the pros – he is just missing some of the intangibles. Sometimes those can be developed. Sometimes they can’t.
As far as Brady goes – there is really no scenario where he ends up in Tampa Bay.
There have been multiple organizations linked to him in recent weeks that have no hope of actually landing the six time Super Bowl champ, and the Buccaneers join the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Chargers in that camp.
More likely than not, Brady is staying in New England. If he does not, the only feasible alternative is the Los Angeles Chargers.
One way or another, the Buccaneers are going to need to figure out a solution to their quarterback dilemma that does not involve Brady. Whether that includes Winston or not remains to be seen.
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A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
