Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ranking the top-five QB options in free agency

4 of 5

DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 15: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks off the field after a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Jameis Winston

This is obviously the most controversial slide of them all- whether you’re on one side of the fence or the other.

In terms of Tampa Bay circles, Winston should either be the No. 1 option or the last option- and there is no in between. But hear me out.

For the crowd that is Pro-Winston: He turns the ball over too much for the Buccaneers to sell out to him. It just wouldn’t be a smart business decision to give him a long-term extension. Winston could certainly show improvement in 2020- perhaps under the franchise tag or a short-term deal- and earn a longer deal after proving himself, but he hasn’t done that yet.

For the crowd that is Anti-Winston: Do you really believe that any QB is better than Winston? Think about how many times he threw the ball- and keep in mind that not all of those interceptions were his fault. Are you really willing to give Tanehill or Bridgewater a sizeable contract to move away from Winston? It’d be a huge risk.

You see, Winston in the short-term is the ultimate ‘no risk’ move. He can’t get much worse than last season, but he could potentially show improvement. If he doesn’t, you move on. But the truth is that there just aren’t many free agents at this point who fit Tampa’s system and would have success.

Well, none except for No. 1 on the list…

Home/Bucs News