The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came out of the gate firing on all cylinders this season even without their star quarterback under center. Jameis Winston was suspended for the first three games of the Bucs 2018 campaign due to an off-the-field issue leaving veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick to shoulder the load at the quarterback position and he's done an incredible job thus far.
Fitzpatrick put on a show in Week 1 with arguably the best performance by a quarterback outside of Aaron Rodgers' heroics for the Green Bay Packers. The veteran gunslinger threw for four touchdowns and 417 yards without an interception while leading the team to victory over the division rival New Orleans Saints. Now Fitzpatrick is seemingly getting consideration to keep the starting job even when Winston is cleared to play in Week 4, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
That said, sources say the Bucs might hold off installing Winston as the starter when he returns from suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy in Week 4. With a short week after playing on Monday night in Week 3, Ryan Fitzpatrick could remain the starter for at least another week.
Both Winston and Tampa Bay are committed to doing what's in the best interest of the team. If that means riding the hot hand, that will be OK. Winston has told the team as much, while also noting that he expected Fitz to play well.
Obviously, a lot can happen between now and when the Bucs take on the Chicago Bears on the road in Week 4. However, the 35-year-old continues to make an impression as he threw for four more touchdowns and more than 400 yards in Week 2 against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
If Fitzpatrick can continue to play at this incredibly high level, it will be extremely difficult for the Bucs brass to hand the reins over to Winston.
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