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Quarterback Jameis Winston surprised some this offseason by revising the remaining year of his contract to remain with the New Orleans Saints for this upcoming season. Winston agreed to the team’s proposal for a reworked deal after the Saints signed free-agent QB Derek Carr and before the free agency signing period officially began. His amended contract will have a base of $4 million dollars this season, with incentives that could escalate to $8 million.
There are two major reasons why this surprised many. First, Winston was clearly not in the team’s plans as the starting quarterback. Especially after signing Carr. Second, Winston agreed to rework his existing contract before even exploring the free agent market.
Retaining Winston gives the Saints arguably the league's best backup quarterback. He's a player that's started 80 games over an eight-year career, has a 5,000-yard season on his resume', and has been in the New Orleans system for three years.
Even after the Saints used a fourth-round draft pick on Fresno State QB Jake Haener, Winston was expected to be Carr's backup for at least this season.
Sometimes things change.
One possible free-agent destination for Winston could have been the Las Vegas Raiders, where Carr played for nine years. Instead, the Raiders signed former 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo. Two years older than Winston with far less production and a much longer injury history than Winston, Garoppolo missed the last nine games of last season with a foot injury. In five full seasons with San Francisco, Garoppolo has missed 22 games because of injuries.
On paper, the move made sense for Las Vegas. Josh McDaniels, the Raiders coach, was Garoppolo's offensive coordinator for his first three years in New England. However, news surfaced last week that Garoppolo will not participate in offseason activities and may not even be ready for training camp because of a pre-existing condition in his injured left foot. Interestingly, there is also a clause in Garoppolo's contract that would allow the Raiders to release him for medical reasons without financial penalty.
Could New Orleans trade Jameis Winston to the Raiders?
If Garoppolo can't play or is released, the Raiders have few answers at the quarterback position. Las Vegas spent a fourth-round draft choice on Purdue QB Aiden O'Connell, who they selected eight picks after the Saints drafted Haener. The Raiders also signed 37-year-old backup Brian Hoyer, who also played for McDaniels in New England.
Winston's roster spot for New Orleans is secure. He provides an excellent fallback option if Carr were to get injured and knows the system well to even help Carr during the offseason. Remember that the Saints have used five different quarterbacks in the last 34 games since Brees retired.
Derek Carr has been a model of durability. He's missed only one game because of injury over his nine-year career. Still, it's hard to believe that the Saints would feel comfortable with the rookie Haener being their backup.
Sometimes things change.
New Orleans should listen if the Raiders call them to inquire about Winston. Perhaps they should even initiate conversations with Las Vegas. Few other NFL teams have a backup quarterback even close to the talent of Jameis Winston.
Rumors have circulated for months that Las Vegas could be interested in trading WR Hunter Renfrow. One of Carr's favorite targets for four years with the Raiders, Renfrow would also save Las Vegas nearly $11.3 million dollars if dealt after June 1.
This move could make sense for both sides. New Orleans has about $13 million in cap space. Renfrow would be a familiar face for Carr and a terrific addition to a receiving corps that includes Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Rashid Shaheed. Winston would have a chance to revitalize his career and gives the Raiders a bona-fide starter at a reasonable cap number if Garoppolo can't go.
Parting with Winston would be a gamble for the Saints. However, Taysom Hill also has quarterbacking experience for the team if the unimaginable happens to Carr and Haener isn't ready to play.
Derek Carr was signed to be the New Orleans starter for the foreseeable future. Jameis Winston is an outstanding backup, but would be more valuable as a trade asset to a quarterback-needy team like the Las Vegas Raiders.
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