In his "Hook" article Mark Cook states that the Bucs are "playing with fire" if they let Winston walk, but its "less than 50-50" that Winston returns. The article is based on the assumption that Winston wants to stay. You know what they say about assuming. He's not alone, because the prevailing opinion seems to be that the Bucs have a decision to make. Well it takes two to tango. and I think we need to be looking at the other side of the table if we want to understand what's really going on.
Shaq Barrett says I'm gonna get paid but all things being equal I'd love to stay in Tampa Bay. So he's going to take the best offer, but he's saying the right things. We all understand its a business. Oh by the way, where are the Winston quotes talking about how much he wants to stay in Tampa?
Winston hired big time agent Joel Segal who represents Khalil Mack for one. Winston hired him for a reason: To get paid. That's why you hire a guy like Segal.
My crystal ball says he told Winston: "Let me handle this. This is a business. Hire me and I'm going to get you paid." And my crystal ball also tells me what Winston didn't say: "Oh no, I love Tampa so much, I just have to stay here! Make it happen!" Winston's did say: "You're hired." Segal knows what he can get for Jameis and IMO it doesn't involve the Buccaneers.
Pussyfooting around with the Bucs trying to work a team friendly deal without a lot of guaranteed money isn't what Segal is interested in, because he knows what he can get elsewhere. That's why Segal is putting out a high contract demand. Its not that he thinks he'll get that much money exactly. Its just about getting Winston out onto the open market and he knows that market pretty well. That's his job.
This isn't about a decision the Bucs have to make. Its about a decision that Winston and his new agent have probably already made. Winston is getting out. It's not because he doesn't like Tampa Bay. Its just business and the deal will be better elsewhere.
