Jameis Winston Discusses Impending Free Agency, Insight On Jamaal Williams TD
The Saints are going to have plenty of decisions on their hands to make with free agents, and one of those includes what to do with quarterback Jameis Winston. He's set to hit the market due to the extra void years in his contract restructure that will generate cap proration and essentially make him available when the new league year rolls around unless New Orleans re-signs him.
Winston joined Pardon My Take during the back half of January, which aired on Monday. He spent nearly an hour and half with Big Cat and PFT Commenter, so be sure to check out their full interview and show.
Winston talked about the elephant in the room in the late Jamaal Williams touchdown against the Falcons from the regular season finale. Like the Saints have maintained, it was all handled and wasn't a bigger deal than what it was made out to be.
"I went in and approached some of the higher-ups in the organization just to get their perspective and talk to them about it," Winston said.
"They really handled it really well, having conversations with them. Because again, they know my intent. They see me working with the practice squad receivers on off-days to ensure that they're going to be prepared if their number is called. They see me working with the young DBs, making sure that they know how the quarterbacks on the other team or the offensive coordinator is trying to attack them in certain situations. I think they know the intent of my heart."
Winston said that the scenario was one of the most unique opportunities that the NFL has ever seen and leaned on the fact of going through a whole year of battling with other players and going through the full season. Players like Cesar Ruiz wanted to run the play. He said that it was never out of disrespect or strife, but out of love for his teammates. The only regret Winston mentioned was running it out of victory formation.
Winston was asked about his future plans and pending free agency. His initial response expressed gratitude for his time with the Saints, and then he discussed what he is looking for next.
"The biggest thing about my love for New Orleans is...this is, I feel like, the first city that truly embraced me. Just who I am, what I stand for, how I move. And I think it's just the south. That southern hospitality. I'm from Alabama, so I grew up watching Drew Brees, grew up watching Aaron Brooks, the early years of the Saints and just saw how they grew. So when I was able to get thrown into this environment, I was just like, man I just had so much gratitude to be here, because I am five hours from home. My wife, her dad's side of the family, is from New Orleans. So, I instantly felt a connection with this city. And the way that they represent their guys, the way they bring culture..."
Winston continued, "In terms of this offseason, I feel like I've played every role that a quarterback can play with the New Orleans Saints. I've been a starter. I've been a backup. I've been someone to help bring up some of the young bucks. I'm very intentional with everything that I do. So, wherever I'm at, obviously my main goal is to be a starting quarterback in this league. And when that opportunity presents itself, that will be what takes me away from any place because that's my dream. That's my goal. My dream and my passion is to win a Super Bowl...lead a team to the Super Bowl in any way, in any shape or form. I'm definitely able to do those things from a behind the scenes perspective, but I think just the hunger of a competitor wants to be out there in between those lines, having the opportunity in doing his best to lead his team to the Promised Land."
Winston was later asked about potential 'random' spots he could land in the offseason and which one he'd choose, which included Seattle, Atlanta, Washington, Foxboro and Denver. He said that he would go to anyone that would accept him. Being that he is from Birmingham, Atlanta was a personal choice for him.
"I feel like I'm the attraction. I'm the thing, like I'm the city that's going to bring joy, love, trust, peace, integrity to any location that I'm at, because I am a man of increase. So wherever it may be, that city is going to be getting someone that is ready...a Kingdom man that is ready to grow everyone around him."
He gave a good story on Sean Payton and talked about working with Drew Brees around the 1:45:00 mark and way much more, so again, be sure to check it out. We'll find out soon enough where Winston does indeed land for 2024, but there's no denying the impact he's made on this team since joining them in 2020.
