By Jordan Long
The Denver Broncos’ offseason will be filled with questions about the quarterback. Drew Lock is expected to be the starter in 2021. The Broncos also have Jeff Driskel and Brett Rypien signed for 2021. Denver would like to add a veteran quarterback to push Lock to earn the starting position. One they may consider pursuing is Jameis Winston.
Winston is a former #1 draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last season he was the backup to Drew Brees in New Orleans only seeing action in 4 games with 11 pass attempts. He completed 7 of them for 75 yards.
Winston has been a starter in the league with Tampa Bay. His record was a disappointing 28-42. The Buccaneers didn’t build a winning team around him. 2016 was their top year with Winston under center ending with a 9-7 record. They were tied with the Lions but Detroit managed to earn a Wild Card spot due to tiebreakers. It was the closest they were to the postseason with him.
Winston was a free agent and agreed to a 1-year deal with the Saints this past season. He sometimes was not even the backup quarterback. The Saints used Taysom Hill and didn’t dress Winston. Hill is a different type of quarterback than Winston because Hill was in the game on special formations to run the football or pass it. Winston never seemed to fit in with the Saints.
The Saints may keep him depending on what happens with Brees. Brees might walk away and leave a void on offense because they would still need another quarterback. If Winston becomes available, Denver could sign him.
Winston has shown he can play in the NFL despite his record. He has passed for 19,812 yards and 121 touchdowns. Winston tries to be careful with the football not to throw it in double coverage, but he will take chances and try to fit the ball into tight windows. He totaled 88 interceptions.
The problem he sometimes has is holding onto the football instead of throwing it away. Winston doesn’t seem to have the quarterback “clock in his head” to know when to toss the football. Those equal sacks and fumbles. Winston has been sacked 171 times in his career and added 31 fumbles, far too many for both stats.
Winston is an upgrade over Driskel and Rypien. Driskel is entering his 4th year and has only played 9 games. His record is 1-8. Rypien started 1 game in his 2 years which came in week 4 against the New York Jets. He was 19 for 31 for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns. Unfortunately, he tossed 3 interceptions but Denver managed to win the game 37-28. Winston would be a better backup and he may push Lock to earn the starting gig.
General Manager George Paton will do what is best for the team. Winston would make a lot of sense. Of course, Denver has other needs besides quarterback. Hopefully, Paton addresses the position in free agency.
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