Buccaneers will retain Jameis Winston for 2019

It’s been an up-and-down season for Jameis Winston, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are keeping their quarterback on board for 2019.

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht confirmed Monday that Winston will return to the team in 2019 despite a season that saw him suspended and later benched.

Licht on Winston: “Jameis Winston will be here…he has done some amazing things…accomplished more than some of the elite quarterbacks at his age. There’s a lot to like about Jamies and he’ll be here next year.”

— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) December 31, 2018

After throwing 10 interceptions in his first four appearances of the season, Winston rounded into form after getting his job back, throwing 13 touchdowns and four picks in his final seven games. That sort of statline and this sort of resolution looked a long way away after he threw four interceptions in one game on Oct. 28, but he ended up sorting it out and has been rewarded with a public vote of confidence from his franchise. Their next coach will be tasked with getting the best out of him consistently.