Saints QB Jameis Winston sets his focus on next season with franchise
Jameis Winston is ready for another opportunity. After getting injured and subsequently replaced by Andy Dalton with the New Orleans Saints, Winston is eager to win back his job in his final year under contract.
Speaking during a visit with NFL Network during the HBCU Legacy Bowl, Winston emphasized that he had one more year.
There aren't a lot of quarterback spots available anymore, so it's important that he is not yet a free agent.
Winston said via Yahoo! Sports:
“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.”
Winston has had injury struggles the last two years. He was 5-2 before getting hurt in 2021 but just 1-2 before getting hurt and then moving to the bench in 2022.
It's unclear what the Saints' plans are moving forward. They unfortunately do not own their 10th overall pick in the upcoming draft as a result of their trade with Philadelphia.
That means drafting one is likely out of the question, so will the Saints run it back with Dalton or give Winston one final shot?
Where will Jameis Winston play next?
The New Orleans Saints have Jameis Winston under contract for another year. Unless a contender loses their quarterback in training camp and needs to quickly fill that hole, they're not likely to trade him anywhere else.
They could sign another veteran, but they already have a lot of expensive players on the roster. Their most likely route is to keep Dalton and Winston and see who wins the job.
That's probably going to be Winston. As inconsistent as he is, he brings more upside than Dalton, who was largely ineffective in 2022. Dalton may earn the job, but it looks like the former Heisman winner will get another chance to prove himself.
This time, he'll be playing for his next contract, too.