Jameis Winston: 'Why I Came Back'
It took one social media post by Jameis Winston to clarify why he accepted the New Orleans offer to restructure his contract and return as Derek Carr's backup for the 2023-24 season.
Jameis Winston; Credit: Super Nola
WHY I CAME BACK
"First, I love this city. In all of my professional career, I've never felt so culturally in tune with a fan base. The Saints fans that I've met have been incredible. Y'all have made me and my family feel at home. That is why last season was so disappointing to me. I want to see this team and city succeed.
I know great things are ahead for this team and this city! I was led here by the spirit; that's why I would never run away from this new challenge. The things that led me here are still here. A stable organization, a championship-caliber team, and a great fan base.
This year's team, like last year's team, is built to win a Super Bowl. Let there be no doubt I am still a championship-caliber starting quarterback in this league. However, getting healthy and staying healthy is my number one priority, and I have suffered three devastating injuries over the last two years. I need to stay healthy to assist this team in getting to where we want to go. Most importantly, I need to stay healthy to get me where I want to go in my career!
With that being said, I will serve and lead however, I need to see this organization and city win! I am proud to say for one more year, at least, Who Dat!"
Shortly after his posting, Derek Carr responded, "Yes sir!! Let's get it @jaboowins."
Jameis is entering his fourth season with New Orleans and understands Pete Carmichael's offensive scheme. Winston has been productive since being drafted out of Florida State by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Sean Payton recruited Winston to the Saints when the Bucs decided to sign Tom Brady as its new starting quarterback. Jameis sat for a season behind Drew Brees to learn from a future Hall of Fame quarterback and the complicated Saints offense.
Since Brees' retirement, Winston was named the starter over Taysom Hill for the 2020 season. He played very well, winning 5-2 games until a Devin White horse-collar tackle tore Jameis' left ACL on Oct. 31, 2021. He would miss the remainder of the season.
The former Heisman Trophy winner entered the 2022 season healthy and was pronounced the starter by new head coach Dennis Allen. After the Atlanta comeback win, Jameis' played with four fractured vertebrae and a torn ligament in his right foot. Losses against Tampa Bay and Carolina forced him to be sidelined by Allen, and Andy Dalton became the new starter for the rest of the year.
Winston wanted to return as the starter, leading to his disappointment and frustrations outlined in his "Why I Came Back" message. He serves as the backup signal-caller to the newly signed Derek Carr. New Orleans offered Carr a four-year, $150M contract with $100M guaranteed.
Jameis restructured his 2023 base salary of $12.8M to return for a one-year, $8M deal.
New Orleans has two starting quarterbacks on the roster to provide stability should injuries become an issue, as in the previous seasons.
Winston has passed for 21,840 yards, 139 touchdowns, 96 interceptions, for a QB rating of 87.5 over his previous eight seasons in the NFL.
