NFL Rumors: Saints believed to have made decision on Jameis Winston's future
Jameis Winston still has one season left on his current contract with the New Orleans Saints. The quarterback, who has struggled with injuries in recent years, has been a solid starter in the league but now finds an uncertain future.
Winston, who signed a two-year contract with the team last year, may be cut from the roster. And according to a recent report, this could well be the case.
As per NFL insider Larry Holder, Winston's time in New Orleans is over. Cutting the quarterback from their roster could save the team nearly $13 million in cap space. Winston, who was pegged to start for the team, ended up finishing as a backup to quarterback Andy Dalton.
Jameis Winston's time with the #Saints "is likely up.", according to @LarryHolder
The #Saints can save $12.8 million by releasing him with a post-June 1 designation.
He ended the 2022 season as Andy Dalton's backup.
theathletic.com/4241267/2023/0… https://t.co/qAthqg7QIC
If the Saints do end up cutting the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player with a post-June 1 designation, the team will take a cap hit of $2.8 million in 2023 instead of $15.6 million if he stays.
The Saints, in the meantime, have shown interest in signing free agent Derek Carr, who the Las Vegas Raiders recently released. The quarterback even visited the team's facility earlier this month.
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The team will face stiff competition for Carr's signature, with the New York Jets being touted as front runners for the NFL veteran.
Jameis Winston focused on fighting for Saints' QB1 role
As talks of Jameis Winston moving on from New Orleans continue to do rounds, the quarterback seems focused on returning to the team in 2023.
While speaking to the media during the HBCU Legacy Bowl, the quarterback emphasized that he still had one more year left on his current contract:
“Technically I’m not a free agent just yet, I have one more year under contract. My main thing right now is, I’ll stay healthy and be ready to play. That’s the only thing that’s on my mind. I’ve got to be ready to play, because when given the opportunity, I look forward to taking advantage of it.”
While the upcoming draft class is stacked with superstar quarterback talent, the Saints will unlikely land a potential Week 1 starter. Due to its trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, the team does not own its 10th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.