Jameis Winston rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Let’s get this out of the way. The Buccaneers are still the most likely team to start next season with Winston under center. For one, they’ve dealt with a lot to get him to where we are right now. Teams have trouble letting go of talented players once they get past their off-the-field problems.

The latest rumor says that the Bucs are trying to sign Winston to a two-year deal with only one guaranteed. Basically, they’d pay him the equivalent of the franchise tag (roughly $27 million) and allow themselves to have one more year where he’s under team control, but they can get rid of him for nothing if they don’t like what they see.

The team literally brought in head coach Bruce Arians to work with Winston. They are the only team that has the franchise tag available to them. If he leaves, it’s not like there’s anyone even remotely of value behind him. Ryan Griffin is the only quarterback under contract next season, and he has 18 yards in his career. He’s 30 years old.

Winston has the ability to sit under center for the next decade. However, it seems like as far from an inevitability as any available quarterback this season. So, we have to wonder who might be next for Winston.