What a difference a year makes.
A little over a year ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were preparing for the 2019 season, hoping that former No. 1 pick Jameis Winston could finally establish himself as the franchise quarterback they had hoped for.
Winston had the advantage of a new quarterback-friendly coach in Bruce Arians and a backup quarterback in Blaine Gabbert who was familiar with the official Arians. But an injury to Gabbert in the 2019 preseason ended his year before it even began. Winston, meanwhile, went away for 5,109 yards, 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. Despite hitting the 5,000-yard mile – something achieved by just eight quarterbacks in league history – the Bucs decided it was time to move on.
Now, Tom Brady is the man tasked with bringing the Buccaneers back to the postseason for the first time since 2007, while Winston took a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints to sit and learn behind Drew Brees. As for Gabbert, the Bucs decided to keep him as Brady’s backup.
So, where did Winston and Gabbert get on Gregg Rosenthal’s reserve QB rankings? Well, Winston came in at no. 1, surprising.
Per Rosenthal:
“Post-LASIK Jameis in a Sean Payton offense is something I want to see. For all the mistakes Winston made last season, quarterbacks do not stumble in 121 touchdowns and an average of 7.7 YPA (13th all-time!) In 70 starting through age 26. Winston may in most respects be the opposite of Teddy Bridgewater, but she must share a skill to knock out Taysom Hill, he of six career completions, in a quarterback league. ”
I think a lot of people flock to Winston to succeed. He is still young and has proven that he has the talent. A little more polishing on his game and he could easily land another starting job at some point (maybe even back in Tampa Bay?).
Gabbert meanwhile came on no. 17, which seems just right for a man who did not play a single snap for regular season last year.
“Bruce Arians loves Gabbert, which is a strong point in his favor. However, he must be careful, after Tom Brady got his last neat backup out of town. ‘
Well, he’s not wrong …
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