Why The Saints Will Not Trade Jameis Winston
New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during the team’s season-opening win over the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. Zach Wilson finished the game once Rodgers went down early in the first quarter.
Wilson was the second overall choice out of BYU by the Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft. Over his first two seasons, Wilson has completed just 55.6% of his passes for an average of 182 yards with 15 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in 22 games. His failures have forced New York to use five different quarterbacks the last two years before trading for Rodgers this offseason.
The Jets' playoff hopes now depend on whether Wilson is a vastly improved player over the version we saw in his first two years. New York will definitely acquire another quarterback in the next few days. With only practice squad QB Tim Boyle on the roster and Wilson's previous struggles, they'll almost certainly look into a signal caller with starting experience.
Here are the notable quarterbacks currently available on the free-agent market or that could be signed off the practice squads of other teams.
• Carson Wentz
• Philip Rivers (retired)
• Matt Ryan (retired)
• Ryan Fitzpatrick (retired)
• Nick Foles
• Trevor Siemian
• John Wolford
• Chase Daniel
• Will Grier
Not exactly a standout list. We should also expect to hear rumors that the Jets may attempt to lure Tom Brady out of retirement. It seems just as likely that New York may look to trade for a quarterback, especially if they don't trust Wilson.
Could the Saints trade Jameis Winston to the New York Jets?
Aug 13, 2023; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) calls a play at the line against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY
This makes a ton of sense for the Jets. Winston is a terrific passer and has a proven history of production. He's just 29 years old and is only three years removed from a 5,000-yard season with 33 touchdowns for a bad Tampa Bay team.
Winston has dealt with knee, back, and foot injuries over the last two years. He now appears to be fully healthy and had a strong preseason for New Orleans. You could argue that Winston is the most talented backup quarterback in the NFL and a player who could be a capable starter for several teams.
An unselfish player and strong locker room presence, Winston is loved by teammates wherever he's been. He would provide outstanding insurance as a backup and a capable starter if Wilson falters.
Why the Saints will not, and should not, trade Jameis Winston
Aug 20, 2023; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) at the line of scrimmage against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Acquiring Winston makes sense for the Jets, but moving him does not make sense for the Saints. Derek Carr is the unquestioned starter and, frankly, is a better fit in the New Orleans system than Winston. If Jameis Winston were traded, what would the Saints do if Carr was injured?
Rookie fourth-round QB Jake Haener had an up-and-down preseason, but does show promise. Not only is Haener an unproven rookie, but he's also unavailable because he's serving a six-game NFL suspension. Therefore, dealing Winston would put the Saints in the same position that the Jets currently face should Carr get hurt. See the above list of available quarterbacks to see if that inspired any confidence.
Siemian knows the New Orleans system and appeared in six games for the team after Winston was lost for the season in 2021. Like Siemian, the other quarterbacks on this list are either journeymen (at very best) or players well past their prime.
Perhaps the Jets wow New Orleans with a tremendous trade proposal for Winston. They won't offer their 2024 first round selection, leaving them with a third-round choice, two in the fourth round, and one in the sixth of next year's draft
New York could also include either rookie Israel Abanikanda or Michael Carter from a deep running back room. It's an area where the Saints struggled in Week 1. However, they'll also get suspended RB Alvin Kamara back in Week 4 and injured rookie Kendre Miller back as early as this week.
There is a reason why the Saints worked out a restructured deal with Winston this offseason to keep him with the team. This is a New Orleans team with playoff-caliber talent everywhere on the roster. Jameis Winston has far greater value as an experienced and productive insurance policy than the return he'd bring as a trade asset.
