Jameis Winston Will Have a Market this Offseason

QUALITY BACKUPS MAY BECOME STARTERS

In 2022-23, 14 NFL teams started two or more quarterbacks from significant injuries or benchings, according to Steve Coulter. A starting signal-caller is the league's premier position, but having a quality backup could save a season.

In New Orleans, Teddy Bridgewater's presence helped the Saints stay competitive in the playoff race after Drew Brees tore his UCL in Week 2 of the 2019 season. It's a thin line between winning and losing with a subpar backup quarterback, especially with the volatility of the injured starting quarterback.

SAINTS SEARCHING ELSEWHERE?

New Orleans' trade pursuit of Derek Carr, like last offseason's full-court press for Deshaun Watson, signals the Saints' preference to move on from Winston.

It's a strange and puzzling situation. The embattled Jameis Winston mysteriously fell out of favor with Dennis Allen after opening the season with a 1-2 start, four fractured vertebrae, and a torn foot ligament.

Winston was different after the Week 1 rally in Atlanta. In Week 2, his passes against the Bucs were off-target and lacked zip, leading to 3 interceptions. In Week 3, he was allowed to suit up again and gave a gut-wrenching losing performance at Carolina.

Winston was shelved to mend and promised to regain his job. However, he sat on the sidelines watching Andy Dalton guide the Saints to a losing record in Allen's first season. Although the losses were mounting, Allen's weekly message: Dalton "gives us the best chance to win."

A top-tier quarterback is necessary for the success of any NFL team. There are few Teddy Bridgewaters and Brock Purdys to sustain their teams with wins while pursuing the Lombardi Trophy.

THE CONTRACT DILEMMA

Thus, the Saints have a dilemma. Do they cut, restructure Jameis Winston's contract, and keep him? Or do they re-sign Andy Dalton?

First, New Orleans must whittle down their salary-cap numbers.

John Hendrix reported that New Orleans has "cleared roughly $31.4M in salary cap space through five players: Marcus Maye - $4.9M, Erik McCoy - $10M, Ryan Ramczyk - $10.336M, Wil Lutz - $1.5M (contract lowered from $3.4M base), and Tyrann Mathieu - $4.668M." Thus Winston, Cam Jordan, and Marshon Lattimore are targets for Khai Harley's restructuring tactics.

Winston remains under contract from his two-year, $28M deal signed last offseason. New Orleans could release Jameis and his $12.8M base salary. Should they cut him after June 1, the Saints would save $12.8M on the cap and account for $2.8M in dead cap money, according to OvertheCap.com. He has $5.8M in fully guaranteed money due on the third day of the 2023 season, March 17. Hence, a decision on Winston is looming, but they are in a predicament at quarterback.

WINSTON WILL HAVE A MARKET

Like most of the NFL, the Saints need a starting quarterback and quality backup. Winston proved he could serve in either capacity, and I expect he could be in high demand if released.

Over the last two seasons, organizations have realized the importance of "The Backup" while chasing the postseason. Jameis provides a team with the qualities of a starter and the supportive temperament of a backup. I wouldn't be shocked if Sean Payton and Broncos pursued him to backup Russell Wilson.

Jameis Winston, 29, will have a market and land on his feet in the NFL. Where?

We shall see.