Sign Jameis Winston to a one-year, $30 million prove-it deal
The much-maligned former No. 1 overall pick is another option for the Indianapolis Colts. Jameis Winston represents a prospect who could still develop in the right situation and has shown the tendency to be a gunslinger at the quarterback position. Winston is coming off of a season where he was ranked first among quarterbacks in passing yards and second in passing touchdowns. He threw for 5,109 yards on 626 attempts and tossed 33 touchdowns.
Winston is only 25 years old and could be groomed to be a better decision-maker under Reich’s tutelage. He was one of the best deep ball passers in the league in 2019 and has greater mobility than every other quarterback that has played for Indianapolis not named Andrew Luck.
In Tampa Bay, Winston was hamstrung by a 24th ranked rush offense; the opposing defense always expected “pass” and focused on the Winston and his receiving weapons rather than attempting to stop the run. Paired alongside Indianapolis’s seventh-ranked rushing attack, Winston may finally be able to see easier looks in the passing game and experience overall improvement.
The main drawbacks to Winston are clearly his interceptions and projected cost. Winston led the league with 30 interceptions in 2019 and threw an NFL record seven pick-sixes. Yet, Bruce Arians’ system is known for having the quarterback throw it downfield at the expense of ball security; Carson Palmer threw 22 interceptions in his first season under Arians.
Frank Reich has had more experience turning mediocre quarterbacks into solid signal-callers and won’t put Winston in such negative situations; he helped Nick Foles score 41 points against Bill Belichick’s defense in the Super Bowl and turned Jacoby Brissett into a serviceable starter. With more time in the pocket behind a superior offensive line, Winston could limit his turnover propensity.
Although Winston’s projected market value is approximately $26.7 million according to Spotrac, the Colts may be able to convince him to take a prove-it deal before committing long-term. In the best-case scenario, Winston shows remarkable improvement and the Colts can keep him around with the franchise tag until they are sure he is viable for an extension.
In the worst-case scenario, the Colts underwhelm, cut their losses after one season, and draft a quarterback with a higher pick next year. Taking a shot on a young quarterback who has shown he can be successful in the NFL could be a wise move for Indianapolis.