Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston led the NFL in passing yards last season, throwing for 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns. He also led the NFL in interceptions, tossing 30 picks on the year.
Jameis Winston is still without an employer for the 2020 season, and one NFC scout said that while the turnovers are a concern, the more concerning element might be Winston's past “transgressions” off the field (via Colin Liotta of USA TODAY):
“Winston is hindered by his turnovers and previous transgressions. If you were worried about his mistakes and character during his pre-draft evaluation, you have enough evidence to move on from him at the moment. … He’s a talented player but those mistakes still hang over his head and make it hard for some teams to pull the trigger.”
The scout's take is certainly a little different from the common narrative surrounding Winston's free agency, though it certainly is not unfounded.
Jameis Winston does indeed have a troubled past. He was accused of sexual assault as a freshman at Florida State University, and in 2018 the NFL suspended Winston for allegedly groping a female Uber driver in March of 2016.
Perhaps some NFL teams are concerned Winston's off-field antics will add baggage, rather than the idea the former No. 1 pick is wasted potential.
If this scout's thinking is correct, it could be hard for Jameis Winston to find a suitor. It seems unlikely Winston would be a starter for any given team in 2020, and any team considering signing him might be concerned his development might be impeded if his focus is not on the gridiron.
Of course, this is all speculation. Jameis Winston has also been grinding this offseason even despite limitations due to the coronavirus pandemic. His intentions seem pure.
Nevertheless, Jameis Winston is sure to be a player of interest over the next few months.
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