The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are tasked with the decision of re-signing QB Jameis Winston or looking elsewhere for their quarterback.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to make a decision during this offseason whether to keep QB Jameis Winston or to look elsewhere through free-agency or the NFL Draft.
Despite the questions and concerns about Winston’s ability to cut-down on his turnovers, here are five reasons the Buccaneers should re-sign the quarterback, potentially using a franchise tag.
5. The Buccaneers are in position for a run
Are the Buccaneers ready to compete for a Super Bowl? Not likely, not yet.
However, there’s no reason that Tampa Bay fans shouldn’t expect to make the playoffs if the franchise makes the right moves this offseason.
Taking a chance on a rookie at QB or a free-agent- and using up more cap-space to do it- is not a recipe for success for a team that was just a couple of wins away from potentially getting into the playoffs.
If the Buccaneers sign Winston, they can focus on stocking other positions through free-agency and the draft and make the roster, as a whole, stronger.
The Buccaneers have the defense and if you give Winston another threat and a better offensive line, there’s no reason to think that this team couldn’t compete in the division and clinch a wild-card berth next season.
4. Free Agency doesn’t look promising
For all the Buccaneers fans who are wanting to replace Jameis Winston, let’s be honest: Who are you going to replace him with?
Free agency hasn’t necessarily been kind to Tampa Bay over the years and there aren’t a ton of elite options in this offseason’s free agent class, either.
Teddy Bridgewater is likely the top name at QB for the offseason, but what are the chances the Buccaneers sign him? Can Tampa Bay really lure a name like Tom Brady to such a small market? What about Ryan Tannehill?
To be honest, the most likely option at QB through free agency at this point is Philip Rivers. Rivers is turnover-prone, past his prime, and is not that much of an upgrade- if at all- to Jameis Winston.
3. QBs in the draft are question marks
Now, for those wanting Rivers to take over as a ‘bridge QB’ for a promising rookie, the truth is that you haven’t looked to closely at this NFL Draft.
There is one option in this NFL Draft who is guaranteed to be a success and that’s Joe Burrow. Sorry, but the Buccaneers aren’t getting the No. 1 overall pick. Though he has been injury-plagued, Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa is second and will also be long-gone before the Bucs pick.
That leaves a few QBs like Justin Herbert (Oregon), Jacob Eason (Washington) and Jordan Love (Utah State) who have shown promise, but are far from a ‘lock.’
Do you really want to take a chance on a first or second round pick for a guy who may have more question marks than answers at this point?
2. Interceptions can be improved upon
Jameis Winston’s atrocious interception numbers absolutely have to be improved upon.
We’re not sitting here advocating for him to have free reign or to be given a long-term extension. However, when you look at the few options out there, you may be able to see why Winston could potentially be the best choice for the Buccaneers.
It was Winston’s first year in Bruce Arians’ system. He showed ‘lack-of-concepts’ at times and was reckless with the football.
Certainly, that can be improved upon, right?
At this point, it would seem that there’s a better chance of Winston improving on his interception totals than it would be of selecting a true franchise QB in this coming NFL Draft.
1. An extremely high upside
Let’s not forgot that Winston has a ton of talent.
His arm strength is off-the-charts. He throws accurate passes. He’s strong and can make plays with his legs when counted upon to do so.
Yes, Winston is five years into his professional career. That being said, there’s still room for improvement.
He’s not going to become the next Tom Brady, but he certainly has an extremely high ceiling that can be reached with hard-work and more progress.
Winston isn’t done developing as a quarterback and it may be in Tampa Bay’s best interest to use the franchise tag on him and the ‘wait-and-see’ approach for one more season.
The QB class in 2021 will be much deeper and that could give the Buccaneers more options if they decided to part ways with Winston after this coming season.