New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston is one of the many players set to hit free agency in the coming months. Originally selected with the first-overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Winston spent the first five years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining the New Orleans Saints in 2020.
After spending his first season with the Saints as the primary backup to Drew Brees, Winston earned the starting job in 2021. However, after a mix of injuries and inefficiency, the team decided to hand the reigns to Andy Dalton in 2022 and Derek Carr in 2023. With free agency right around the corner and Carr’s contract keeping him around for at least one more year, some might think that Jameis Winston would look for an opportunity to jump ship.
However, that is not the case. While at the Lundi Gras Celebration, Winston spoke about how much he loved the city and hopes to remain with the organization for the foreseeable future.
“I would love to stay in NOLA forever. But whatever the Lord has planned for me, I’m going to go and do my best, wherever that is. Hopefully it’s here, because I love this, I love the energy, and I love this city,” Winston said.
Margaret Orr + Jameis Winston = NOLA TV GOLD!@MargaretOrr @Jaboowins @wdsu @ZuluSAP1909 #MardiGras2024 pic.twitter.com/34z3Fi8Cut
— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) February 12, 2024
Jameis Winston Wants to Return to Saints In Free Agency
A lot of players say they love the community surrounding their team, but Winston’s actions back up his words. The impending free agent has made the most of Carnival season, routinely appearing on the parade routes while taking photos with just about every fan who crosses his path.
It’s clear that Jameis Winston is happy in New Orleans, but free agency is a business. At the end of the day, Derek Carr is going to be the starting quarterback in 2024, and if Winston has a chance to compete for a starting job, he’ll probably take that opportunity. The former first-overall pick is one of the best backups in the league and could easily be a bridge quarterback somewhere else.
If Jameis Winston can’t find the opportunity to fight for a starting job in free agency, then he’ll probably come back to the New Orleans Saints. However, if someone is willing to give him a chance to battle for the Week 1 job, he’ll probably take that opportunity. There aren’t enough good quarterbacks to go around, and these five teams could roll the dice on Winston.
Possible New Teams
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a great roster with no answer at quarterback. Kenny Pickett crashed and burned in Year 2, Mitchell Trubisky is no longer in the building, and Mason Rudolph is going to be a free agent. With no clear path to get a top quarterback in the NFL Draft, the Steelers might have to settle for a quarterback like Jameis Winston in free agency. While Ryan Tannehill might have a rapport with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Winston offers a higher ceiling.
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are going to be in trouble if Kirk Cousins signs somewhere else. The quarterback was in the midst of his best season prior to tearing his Achilles, and he should have a lucrative market despite the injury. If the Vikings can’t re-sign him, then they’ll need to pivot to a bridge quarterback like Jameis Winston in free agency. Winston loves to push the ball down the field, and that aggressive style of play should mesh well with wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Las Vegas Raiders
Aidan O’Connell did his best last year, but the fifth-round rookie is nothing more than a backup-caliber quarterback. This team still found a way to win games with him, and they should be able to compete for a Wild Card spot if they can sign someone like Jameis Winston in free agency. Perhaps he’ll only keep the seat warm for J.J. McCarthy, but Winston should enjoy having Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers catching the football.
Atlanta Falcons
Jameis Winston could continue his free agency tour of the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons. This team has a good offensive line, three reliable weapons in Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson, and a solid defense. Their biggest flaw last year was the quarterback position and, say what you will about Winston, he’s better than Desmond Ridder. Perhaps the Falcons find a way to trade up for Jayden Daniels, but they’ll need a fallback option like Winston in case they can’t get their guy in the NFL Draft.
New England Patriots
If the Patriots stay put in the NFL Draft, they’ll probably select a quarterback and not need to go after Jameis Winston in free agency. However, rumors indicate that the team is considering trading back, and if that happens, they’ll need a bridge quarterback. Jameis Winston could be the guy for the job, as first-year head coach Jerod Mayo might prefer a high-risk, high-reward quarterback after watching Mac Jones and his low ceiling waste two years of great defenses.
Main Photo: Stephen Lew – USA Today Sports
