The Saints and Carr have shown mutual interest in getting a deal done. Now that’s all fine and good, but if that happens, then there’s one guy on the roster that the Saints should release a favor to him. And that guy’s name is Jameis Winston.
Winston is contracted for at least another year with the Saints, but if you ask me, he doesn’t deserve to be stuck as QB2 behind Derek Carr. He is a starting-caliber quarterback with plenty of upsides still to his game. Winston was on pace to statistically have the best season of his career in 2021 before suffering a season-ending injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In those seven games played, Winston had a passer rating of 102.8 with 1,170 yards, 14 touchdowns, and three interceptions. That’s without the services of Michael Thomas, mind you. Undrafted wide receiver Marquez Callaway had to step up to be WR1, with a supporting cast of Deonte Harty, Tre’Quan Smith, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Kenny Stills, and Kevin White.
2022 started off promising for Winston, as well. In his only game healthy with Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, and rookie Chris Olave, Winston fashioned together a passer rating of 111.0 with 269 yards and two touchdowns. He capped off that performance by completing one of the biggest comebacks in franchise history.
Winston later got benched due to injury ahead of week 4’s international game against the Minnesota Vikings. He never saw the field again after that. This man has never complained about being treated unfairly, even though I believe he’d be well within his right to do so. There’s no way that Andy Dalton is better than Jameis Winston, especially with how late it is in Dalton’s career. The Saints finished 7-10, third in the NFC South.
Injuries certainly played a part, but Dalton also played a bigger part. Lack of mobility was the most evident aspect when Dalton stepped in, yet Dennis Allen insisted that Dalton gave the Saints the best chance to win. You reap what you sow.
This now begs the question: where should Jameis Winston go next? There are plenty of teams in need of a starting quarterback. Teams such as Raiders, Texans, Panthers, Falcons, Colts, Commanders, Buccaneers, Jets, Seahawks(?), and Lions(?). Wild card teams, pending decisions made with their current QBs, include the Ravens and Packers.
Jameis will want to honor his deal and has specifically made mention of such this week, but at the end of the day, the man deserves better. He shouldn’t be forced to waste another year of his prime sitting on the sidelines holding a clipboard behind Derek Carr or any QB the saints decide to go with over him.