Fansided

Power ranking all 32 NFL starting quarterbacks

By Rucker Haringey

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 17: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to the sideline against the Carolina Panthers in the fourth quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 17: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to the sideline against the Carolina Panthers in the fourth quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – AUG 04: Jameis Winston (3) looks for an open receiver during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp on August 04, 2018 at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – AUG 04: Jameis Winston (3) looks for an open receiver during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp on August 04, 2018 at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

26. Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It’s difficult to separate Winston’s off the field issues from who he is as a player. At the very least, you have to price in his three-game suspension into what sort of quarterback he can be for the Buccaneers this season. The ugly truth is that even when he is on the field he’s far from a quality NFL starting quarterback.

At first glance, the raw numbers for Winston are pretty good. He threw for 3,504 yards in just 13 games last season. His 7.9 yards per completion average is clear evidence he has the arm strength to push the ball down the field effectively. Winston has all of the physical abilities an NFL quarterback needs to be successful.

Unfortunately, being a quality NFL quarterback also requires a player to have the mental acumen required to be successful. Watching Winston try to read complex coverages is like watching an American toddler try to comprehend Chinese. He makes some of the worst decisions you will ever see even when he’s not under meaningful pressure.

Optimistic Buccaneers fans will hold on to the hope that Winston can make better decisions on and off the field. In his fourth season as a professional that’s possible, but it’s pretty unlikely. It’s very likely this will be Winston’s last season in charge of the Tampa Bay offense. He’s got the talent to be a top 10 player at this position, but his poor decision-making makes it more likely he’ll be one of the worst starters in the game.