As Jameis Winston is set to be cut by the New Orleans Saints, he will become an interesting backup quarterback option for the Detroit Lions.
Over the weekend, at the HBCU Legacy Bowl in the NFL Network broadcast booth, Jameis Winston noted that he’s not yet a free agent as the New Orleans Saints consider their quarterback options. He has one year left on his contract, but the Saints could certainly use the cap room if he’s not going to be their starting quarterback next season.
Technically I’m not a free agent just yet, I have one more year under contract,” “My main thing right now is, I’ll stay healthy and be ready to play. That’s the only thing that’s on my mind. I’ve got to be ready to play, because when given the opportunity, I look forward to taking advantage of it.”
Following that over the weekend, Larry Holder of The Athletic reported Winston’s time in New Orleans is “likely up.”
Winston opened the 2022 season as the Saints’ starter, before multiple fractures in his back and an ankle issue opened the door for Andy Dalton to take over. Even once he was healthy enough to suit up, Winston never got the job back. A torn ACL ended Winston’s 2021 season after seven games, so he has been hit by a couple significant injuries lately.
Once the Saints part ways with him, what Winston will find on the open market will be interesting. He may have to settle for a backup role, someone may seem him as a bridge starter, or he may be part of an open competition for a starting job.
Jameis Winston would be interesting backup QB option for the Lions
Winston was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He never became the unquestioned franchise quarterback there, and even his best season (2019) came with a healthy mix of good (5,109 yards, 33 touchdowns) and bad (30 interceptions).
Winston, to his credit with no clear-cut options to start somewhere, signed with the Saints to learn at the feet of Sean Payton and as the backup to Drew Brees in 2020. For all the faux contoversy he had courted dating back to college, taking a step back to reset his career was a sign of maturity.
During his most recent significant sample of play, those seven games in 2021, Winston had 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions with a career-best 102.8 passer rating. He went 5-2 as the starter that year, if quarterback wins matter to you.
During that 2020 season, Lions head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn were on the coaching staff in New Orleans. In particular Campbell, working on the offensive side of the ball as tight ends coach, surely got some glimpse at Winston’s work ethic behind the scenes.
Somehow, Winston is still just 29 years old. It’s easy to remember his most erratic days as the Buccaneers’ quarterback, but that appears to have given way to a mature veteran now.
As the Lions consider their backup quarterback options, and naturally upgrade the situation, Winston is an intriguing one if/when he becomes available.