Jason Behnken/Associated Press
Jameis Winston posted a goodbye message to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday after the team signed longtime New England Patriots superstar Tom Brady as its new starting quarterback Friday.
Jameis Winston @Jaboowins
It’s been a great 5 seasons as a Buccaneer. All love and respect, I love Tampa and I look forward to seeing y’all again in February. #SBLV #2020Vision #Dreamforever https://t.co/MIPiCfreXW
Winston, an unrestricted free agent, was the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft by the Bucs and spent the first five years of his professional career as the team’s starter.
The 26-year-old Florida State product is coming off one of the most topsy-turvy seasons in history.
He completed 60.7 percent of his throws for a league-leading 5,109 yards and 33 passing touchdowns, which ranked second only to NFL MVP Lamar Jackson (36). He added 250 rushing yards and one score on the ground while playing in all 16 games.
NFL @NFL
To celebrate his 26th birthday…
EVERY 2019 TD pass by Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston! @jaboowins
@Buccaneers | #GoBucs https://t.co/KbmW1wJtM9
On the negative side, he threw 30 interceptions, nine more than any other quarterback, and fumbled 12 times, five of which were lost.
“You look at it and there’s so much good and so much outright terrible,” Bucs head coach Bruce Arians told reporters in December. “We got to weigh that and see what happens.”
When the opportunity to land Brady, a six-time Super Bowl champion and three-time MVP, arose, Tampa pounced and moved itself toward the championship conversation in the process.
Meanwhile, the market for Winston’s services has been relatively quiet since free agency opened Wednesday.
ESPN’s John Keim reported there’s “no chance” he lands with the Washington Redskins. Michael Giardi of the NFL Network noted it’s “unlikely” the Pats pursue him to replace Brady.
There haven’t been any firm reports linking Winston to a particular team.
If not the Redskins or Patriots, the Jacksonville Jaguars or Los Angeles Chargers are the most logical fits if Winston is going to have a legitimate chance to remain a starter in 2020.
