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About the Author: Matt Matera
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It’s the return that half the Bucs’ fanbase wants, the other half won’t even consider and would put the entire Tampa Bay fanbase into a frenzy.
With the Bucs weighing their options at quarterback outside of Kyle Trask and Blaine Gabbert, get ready for the buzz. There’s one quarterback available in free agency with significant history in Tampa Bay – Jameis Winston.
Would Bruce Arians be open to bringing back the former first overall pick?
“No, not totally,” Arians said at the NFL Combine when asked if he’d be opposed to signing Winston. “But I don’t think it’s the best thing for him.”
#Bucs HC Bruce Arians on if he’d be opposed to signing Jameis Winston. pic.twitter.com/cSXeyf5P4M
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) March 1, 2022
Winston is a free agent after playing the last two seasons with the rival New Orleans Saints. After backing up Drew Brees in 2020, Winston earned the starting role in 2021. He completed 95 of 161 attempts for 1,170 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions in seven starts. The Saints were 5-2 with Winston at quarterback.
Unfortunately, Winston’s season was cut short against the Bucs of all teams. The veteran signal caller tore his ACL on a tackle by Devin White in Week 7. White was penalized for a horse collar tackle on the play.
Winston obviously has a very long history with the Bucs. He was drafted by the club first overall in 2015, and played five seasons in Tampa Bay. In that time he accumulated a 28-42 record, throwing for 19,737 yards, 121 touchdowns and 88 interceptions. No season better encapsulated that five-year rollercoaster than Winston’s last year with the Bucs in 2019. That’s when he became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in the same season.
Winston once set a franchise record with 5,109 passing yards. But that was broken two years later by Tom Brady in 2021, when the GOAT threw for 5,316 yards.
There are definitely questions on how Winston will rebound from a very serious injury. But could you imagine a training camp where a returning Winston, who played at Florida State, battled Florida’s Trask for the starting position?
If Brady isn’t coming back, I’m all for the chaos.
