Buccaneers: 4 players entering make-or-break seasons

Jameis Winston

Unfortunately, Jameis Winston hasn’t been able to solidify himself as the Bucs’ franchise quarterback.

His current suspension and past off-field transgressions have caused many to give up on Winston. While there are plenty of pundits and fans that want Winston to be the quarterback of the future, there is no denying that his future with the franchise is cloudy at best.

Before the Week 1 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, the Buccaneers wouldn’t guarantee that Winston would get his starting job back following his suspension. The trust between Winston and the coaching staff and front office has nearly diminished.

Although the team won’t commit, it would probably take a career performance from Ryan Fitzpatrick against some of the best team’s in the league for Winston to not get his job back. There is no reason to believe that Fitzpatrick will be able to keep the Bucs afloat to open up the season.

Assuming Winston returns to the team in late September and resumes his role as the starter, his goal for 2018 is simple. He needs to make Tampa Bay competitive.

In a loaded NFC South, starting off the year at 0-3 or 1-2 may already put the nail in the team’s coffin. Winston needs to provide the Buccaneers with some life when he returns. And try to get the organization back on course.

Following the 2016 season, the Bucs trajectory was higher than it had been since their glory days nearly 20 years ago. Two years later, the ship is sinking yet again. Winston needs to get the team back on course.