This was the day everyone had been looking forward to for about three months.

When the news came down that Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston would miss the first three games of the season due to a suspension from the league, this was the day everyone highlighted; the day of his return.

Winston was all smiles on Wednesday morning, as you would expect.

He talked about getting back in the building for the first time, getting to see his teammates again, and just the overall feeling of being back with the organization.

Winston was asked about the performance of his team while he was gone. He was excited for them. He said it was hard for him to watch knowing he couldn’t be a part of it, but that he was just back and ready to do whatever he needed to do to help the team win.

Not many people expected the Buccaneers to be 2-1 after their first three games, but Winston did. In fact, Winston expected them to be 3-0.

As for the quarterback controversy, Winston wasn’t concerned with that, even though we’ve been told that the Buccaneers coaches have informed both Winston and Fitzpatrick who will be starting in Chicago this week.

As for some of the players we know for sure will be starting in Chicago, the Bucs defense will have quite a few young ones out there. Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart will likely get starting roles once again, and safety Jordan Whitehead will now take over for Chris Conte, as he has been placed on IR.

Speaking of Chris Conte, Mike Smith was asked about the big touchdown pass to Steelers tight end Vance McDonald where Conte got shoved to the ground. Smith didn’t give details but just said it was a miscommunication, and ultimately he’s to blame as the defensive coordinator.

Back in the locker room, there was plenty of player chatter with Winston back.

Wide receiver Chris Godwin said that he was happy to have Winston back, and said there isn’t a big adjustment they have to make with him, if he is to be the starting quarterback.

In some non-Winston news, rookie safety Jordan Whitehead has been getting playing time throughout the first three weeks, but now he’ll be the third rookie starter in the secondary with Conte down.

Whitehead said he’s worked hard to be ready for this moment.

But we don’t want to make it too much of a foregone conclusion that Winston is starting.

Tight end Cameron Brate said that Fitzpatrick has earned the right to remain the starter, whether he ends up starting or not.

To wrap up the day, head coach Dirk Koetter gave his own words on what it was like having Winston back. He said that Winston “handled it like a pro” the whole time — through training camp up until now.

Koetter was also asked about Conte’s injury, and how there was a report that Conte had a torn PCL before that game ever started and tried to play through it. Koetter said that once a player is medically clear, he decides to play or not play them based on talent. He doesn’t make medical calls.

We’ll be back tomorrow with another jam-packed day at One Buc Place.