There have been plenty of questions about Jameis Winston’s future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year due to erratic play on the field and some issues off of it, but the team apparently intends to stick with the former first-round pick heading into 2019.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Bucs are planning to bring back Winston as their starting quarterback next season. He is scheduled to make around $20 million after the team picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, and Tampa’s brass reportedly feels he gives them the best chance to win.
Winston, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, has thrown just 15 touchdowns compared to 13 interceptions in 10 games this season. He has thrown 57 picks in three-plus NFL seasons, which has been his biggest issue. To give you some perspective, Aaron Rodgers has thrown 80 interceptions during his career and has been in the NFL for a decade longer than Winston.
Winston was suspended to start the season after he was accused of inappropriately touching an Uber driver, and he recently settled a lawsuit related to the case. Assuming the Bucs do stick with him as their starter in 2019, he will likely need to prove himself on and off the field before they think about signing him to a contract extension.
