After a rather rocky start, it seemed like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be looking for another quarterback to lead their offense. Jameis Winston started the season in disappointing fashion, rekindling calls for the team to give up on him and find a new quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft.
However, Winston has seemingly heard the calls and decided to show fans just why the team picked him first overall four years ago. He put on an incredible performance that helped the Bucs to a 2-2 record after four weeks of NFL football.
While Tampa Bay is still far from Super Bowl contention, the fact that they can win games against the Los Angeles Rams is a testament to how much the Florida State product has grown as a quarterback.
While his development did take a while, he's finally showing the fans why he's worth the wait.
The Rams have one of the best defenses in the NFL, but he managed to throw for 385 yards and four touchdowns with an incredible 120.5 QB rating. While he did throw an interception, his 68% completion rating is the highest it has been this season.
Moreover, he didn't only show remarkable improvement in this game, he showed incredible composure despite the lack of a strong offensive line to keep him in the pocket.
In fact, he's leading the NFL in terms of completions into tight windows. That is such an impressive feat for a quarterback that some dismissed by his third season with the team.
If Winston's maturity is reaching a higher rate, it would be illogical for the Bucs to try and get rid of Winston next season. One can only imagine the kind of damage Winston can do from the pocket if he has an actual O-Line protecting him from pressure.
If you ask anybody what changed with Winston, head coach Bruce Arians will tell you that it was a simple change in mentality.
“You have to play fearless, and that’s one of my biggest messages to Jameis,” Arians said to the Tampa Bay Times. “Throw it. Don’t worry about it, just throw it.”
He has definitely shown that in his play this season. He hasn't been scared of throwing interceptions as long as he's throwing with full confidence. Thanks to that change in mindset, he's on pace to finish with 4,000 passing yards, barring any injuries.
Winston is for real and is here to stay. He's proven that he's worthy of the first overall pick the Bucs burned years ago.
It may have taken awhile, but fans are probably just happy that he is finally coming around.
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