Saints 2022 Year-In-Review: Jameis Winston

Once thought by some to be the potential successor to Drew Brees, Jameis Winston's time in New Orleans is expected to come to an end. Here's a look back at Winston's brief Saints career.

Author:
Bob Rose
Publish date:
Mar 5, 2023 1:51 PM EST

In this story:

New Orleans Saints

In the 2020 offseason, the New Orleans Saints signed free-agent QB Jameis Winston to back up Drew Brees. Winston first overall choice in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of Florida State. After a productive but turnover-prone five years with the Buccaneers, he was allowed to test the open market.

New Orleans scooped up their former division rival, with many tabbing him as the eventual replacement for Brees. When Brees missed four games during the 2020 season, however, coach Sean Payton turned to Taysom Hill to start. After Brees retired, Winston would get his chance in 2021.

Showing some promise in a conservative attack, Winston started seven games before being lost for the year with a knee injury. He completed 59% of his throws for an average of 186 yards/game with 15 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions.

Re-signed to a two-year extension last offseason after the Saints courted Deshaun Watson, Winston came into the 2022-23 season as the starter. After a stirring start, the year went off the rails quickly for all parties involved.

Jameis Winston

Saints Year-In-Review

Bitter rival Atlanta led the Saints, 26-10, with just 12 minutes to go in the opening week. Winston and the New Orleans offense had been quiet to that point, but exploded in a record-setting burst to close the game.

The Saints scored 17 points in the final minutes to pull out a stunning 27-26 win. In those three drives, Winston went 13 for 16, with two spikes to stop the clock, for 213 yards, two touchdown passes, a 2-point conversion, and set up a field goal with 19 seconds left for the win. His poise, toughness, and production in that short stretch showed the traits of an elite signal caller.

Winston had hurt his back against the Falcons. Multiple broken vertebrae to go along with a serious foot injury he'd been dealing with through training camp. He tried to play through the pain, but was obviously limited.

Week 2 against his former team, the Buccaneers, revealed the other side of Jameis Winston. In the fourth quarter, Winston was intercepted on three consecutive drives. All three led to Tampa Bay touchdowns in a 20-10 loss. Week 3 at Carolina produced an equally frustrating result. Winston threw for 353 yards, but was just 25 of 41 with 2 interceptions and a touchdown in a 22-14 loss.

And with that, Winston's 2022 season would come to an end.

An injured Winston would sit out a Week 4 contest against the Vikings in London. Reigns were turned over to veteran Andy Dalton for the next few weeks. Despite receiving medical clearance and proclaiming himself ready to play at mid-season, Winston would not see another snap for the Saints. Coach Dennis Allen stuck with the more conservative but more limited Dalton for the rest of the year.

Winston, who turned 29 in January, completed 63.5% of his throws for 858 yards with 4 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and was sacked 11 times in three starts. It seems likely he's played his last snap in a New Orleans uniform.

Winston still has one year remaining on a deal that would cost $15.6 million against the team’s salary cap this season. At 6'4" and 231-Lbs., he remains a strong pocket presence with underrated athleticism and the arm to make every throw.

Winston's critics will always point to his propensity for turnovers, but he can also be among the most productive passers in the game. It certainly appears that he won't get that chance with New Orleans.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) passes against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Dennis Allen and the Saints are clearly going another direction at quarterback this offseason. Expect Winston to be released before the start of free agency on March 15. Releasing him will cause $2.8 million of dead cap in 2023 and $8.4 million in 2024. It will also create $12.8 million in salary cap space for the Saints this season.

In 10 starts for New Orleans, Jameis Winston averaged 227 yards passing and threw 18 touchdowns against 8 interceptions.