New Orleans Saints offer former FSU star Jameis Winston reconstructed deal

Winston could hit the free agent market in a matter of days.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston could become a free agent for the fourth consecutive offseason.

After the Saints' acquisition of Derek Carr on March 6, Winston is set for a backup role behind the former Las Vegas Raiders signal caller. 

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ESPN NFL reporter Dianna Russini tweeted that the Saints offered a reconstructed deal to Winston that allows him to stay in New Orleans.

According to Russini, Winston has until March 15 to accept the contract. If he declines, he'll be released and hit the open market.

Per Spotrac, Winston signed a 2-year, $28M contract with the Saints last offseason. Before, he signed two one-year contracts with New Orleans in the 2020 and 2021 offseasons. 

In three seasons in New Orleans, the former Seminole started 10 games and went 6-4. He compiled 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions in that span.

Winston's suffered multiple injuries in the past two seasons. He missed the second half of the 2021 season after tearing his ACL on Oct. 31, 2021, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

This past season, Winston began the year starting but suffered four back fractures against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 11, 2022. He missed three games and remained as the backup behind Andy Dalton once he returned.

The legal tampering period begins on March 13. If Winston is a free agent by this time, interested teams can begin contract negotiations with his agent.

Winston, 29, could sign somewhere else to compete for a starting job or provide veteran leadership to an organization with a rookie or second-year quarterback.

In the meantime, Winston has his focus elsewhere. He's currently at Florida State for Legacy Weekend. On Friday night, Winston spoke to the football team after practice and threw out the first pitch prior to a baseball game.

READ MORE: FSU Athletic Director Michael Alford makes a strong case for the Seminoles to leave the ACC

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All statistics for this story were collected via Pro Football Reference.