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Jameis Winston took the podium after a Week 17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons where he threw a pick six in overtime. “Check your stat sheet. If I eliminate those, I'm gonna be the best.” That was the answer Winston gave a reporter when asked about his turnover issues.
The state sheet for Winston is simple. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a coach in Bruce Arians who likes to throw the ball. They are also behind in many games so they have to throw the ball. This means that Winston will have big numbers. He finished with 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns. Those numbers are not worth 30 interceptions. So yes Jameis, if you eliminate the turnovers you could be solid, but nothing in your career has shown that you will be able to.
This was one of three seasons in Winston's career where he has thrown for 20 or more interceptions. In 2017 and 2018, Winston finished with 19 interceptions in each season, but he played a combined 24 games. Is it the system? Is it him? Regardless, Winston needs a change of scenery and that is something he could easily get in free agency.
It is time for Jameis Winston and TB to split
There are certain cases where a player just needs a chance of scenery and to be put in a different situation and scheme. Look at how effective Ryan Tannehill was for the Tennessee Titans down the stretch of 2019. The Bucs did not feature any threat of a rushing attack which put more pressure on Winston.
This is going to be the most exciting free agency period for quarterbacks in a long time. Names like Tom Brady and Philip Rivers will be available. The 2020 NFL Draft is deep with talent under center. There will also be two underachieving pros taken first and second overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. There are many teams that need quarterbacks and there is no doubt that Winston will land somewhere. It just should not be in Tampa Bay.
Arians needs to figure out his team's run game first and foremost. When it comes to a quarterback, he needs someone reliable who does not turn the ball over. This is why he found success in Arizona with Carson Palmer. Winston does not fit that bill.
There simply comes a time where it is necessary to move on. That is the relationship between Jameis Winston and Tampa Bay. It has been five years and the experiment did not work for either side. This is a chance for both sides to say thank you and move on to their next chapter.
