Jameis Winston is going into the 2023 season in a new way: He's not preparing to be the starting quarterback, or at least that's not his role.
After three offseasons where he was the QB of the future, he's now the quarterback working behind Derek Carr. The Saints gave him the decision to leave, but he chose to stay. Why?
“It’s just very familiar. I trust this organization. I believe in this team that we have, great defense, great offense," he said. "And last year we had a lot of opportunities to break open some games. But with the addition of Derek I think he’s going to bring a lot of good things to this team.”
It was a mature decision from a 29-year-old thrust into a backup role for the second time in his career, but it was spurred by injuries. The Saints started 5-2 in his first year as QB1, but that campaign ended with a major knee injury. He worked back from that the next season, but wore a brace through camp. From there he suffered a foot injury in the preseason, that was still lingering when he injured his back in Week 1. The ankle injury was aggravated again in Week 2. By Week 4, Winston was sitting due to injury with Andy Dalton taking over a job he never got back.
Later in the season Winston issued frustration about losing his job while injured, but made sure to mention that he still wasn't fully healthy. He made the decision to stay in town over the offseason, but he still points out that he's working back to his best form. Overcompensating for injuries created additional issues elsewhere. He has ditched the knee brace this offseason
Still, he feels like he's a starting NFL quarterback when healthy.
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“The preparation stays the same," he said. "I’m still preparing for whenever my opportunity does present itself because I still believe I’m a starting quarterback in this league. But right now my role is to serve Derek and be the best teammate I can to what my role [is] on this team.”
Winston came back on a 1-year deal, and will still be looking for opportunities to start in the NFL. He said there was no need to mend fences with the organization, he understands how injuries happen and decisions have to be made. This year, any time a quarterback goes down with an injury, he'll be included in trade discussions whether the Saints want it or not. For example: Will the Raiders need to add a starter if Jimmy Garoppolo's foot keeps him off the field? Could Winston be that guy?
The Saints aren't trying to trade him, but with rookie Jake Haener on the roster, you'd have to consider offers. Those offers would have to blow you away with the value. From a competitive perspective, the Saints know as well as anyone why you want a backup QB that isn't a question mark when he steps on the field. Think: Teddy Bridgewater or Taysom Hill. Better yet, think Trevor Siemian, who struggled as a starter, but came on in relief to win two games that sandwiched an 0-4 record as a starter. Jameis is someone you'll trust to come on and deliver in that role. And he agrees with that take.
“It’s the NFL. They say "not for long," you can be in and out of this league. But I’m happy and grateful that I know we have the best quarterback room in the NFL, by far," WInston said. "This division is wide open and winning the division championship is on our mind. We have to do that. We have a veteran quarterback room. We probably have the oldest quarterback room throughout the division. So this is an opportunity for us to take our highs and build on them.”
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