The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Buccaneers: Predicting the contracts of cornerstone stars

By Jerry Stalheim

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 29: Jameis Winston #3 and Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look on from the sideline in the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Bucs 25-12. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 29: Jameis Winston #3 and Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look on from the sideline in the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Bucs 25-12. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 03: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dives for a touchdown against teammates Kawann Short #99 and Robert McClain #27 of the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 03: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dives for a touchdown against teammates Kawann Short #99 and Robert McClain #27 of the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

JAMEIS WINSTON

The Bucs have never given a quarterback that they drafted a second contract, but that will definitely change with Jameis Winston.

He will not be eligible for a new deal until after this season and has a fifth year option worth at least $25 million, so in reality the Bucs do not have to re-sign him until the 2019 season.

It is possible, since they have already shown heavy confidence in him, more so if he can lead the franchise to the playoffs for the first time since 2007 and even win a playoff game that he could possibly get a new contract after this season. This would ultimately save the team some money in the long run.

Winston is the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards in each of his first two seasons and has the second most yards (Andrew Luck) in NFL history in his first two seasons with 8,132.

He is also the fifth quarterback in NFL history to pass for 50 touchdowns in his first two seasons although he has also thrown 33 interceptions during that time.

Playing in all 32 games of his career he has a record of fifteen wins seventeen loses (.468) with 657 completions on 1102 attempts (59.7%) for 8,132 yards 50 touchdowns 33 interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 85.2.

In June of 2017, Derek Carr who was a second round pick the year prior to Winston signed a five- year $125,025,000 contract extension averaging $25,005,000 per season with $40,000,000 guaranteed. This made him the highest paid quarterback in the NFL with Andrew Luck being second.

Carr’s first two season numbers are very comparable to Winston’s with Carr having 41 more completions, 875 fewer yards, three more touchdowns, eight less interceptions, and a rating of 83.7 compared to Winston’s 85.2.

During Carr’s third season he led his team to a 12-3 record with 28 touchdowns and only six interceptions, including an amazing 513 yard four touchdown overtime victory against the Bucs, and led the team to the playoffs before breaking his leg in week fifteen.

Winston is on an amazing stats pace and with another 4,000 yard season could be the third quarterback in NFL history to reach 12,000 yards in his first third seasons. If he can throw 30 touchdowns this season he would be the third quarterback in NFL history with 80 or more touchdown passes in his first three seasons.

With many feeling that the Bucs could finally end their ten-year playoff drought Winston could do like Carr and lead his team to the playoffs in just his third year, and also could be in line for a huge contract.

Winston is eligible for a new contract after this season and if he can lead the Bucs to the playoffs you can bet that Licht and Greenberg will start working on a new contract for him.

Is Winston worth $25,000,000 plus per season? With that being the market now he is most definitely worth that and more if he can break the Bucs playoff drought.

CONTRACT PREDICTION:

Winston signs in November-December of 2018 for five years $135,000,000 for average of $27,000,000 annually with $43,470,000 guaranteed.

Home/Bucs News