5 burning questions the Buccaneers must answer in 2018
1. What will they do with Jameis Winston?
Even before Winston’s three-game suspension, there was a real question over what the Buccaneers should do with him moving forward. At times, he looks the part of a Pro Bowl quarterback. Other times he looks like he’d be lucky to hold a clipboard in the CFL.
Winston’s contract situation is pretty complicated. The team elected to exercise his fifth-year rookie option before they really had an idea he might face a suspension. That means he’s scheduled to make over $20 million next season. However, the Buccaneers do have the option to cut him with no financial penalties after the conclusion of the 2018 season provided he stays healthy.
Really Tampa Bay only have two choices. They can either cut Winston and elect to go in an entirely different direction at quarterback, or they can work to sign him to a long-term extension. Presumably, doing the latter would come at a significant discount due to his off the field questions.
Either way, this is a decision that will define the franchise for the foreseeable future. It’s almost impossible to become a legitimate Super Bowl contender without an above average quarterback leading the offense. There are serious questions about whether or not Winston is capable of playing at that level.
Moving on from Winston might be the right choice, but it still would be a massive sea change for the Buccaneers franchise. Time will tell whether or not they have the nerve to make such a disruptive roster move.