When Jameis Winston arrived in the NFL as the first overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, he became a yearly nemesis of the New Orleans Saints twice a year.
Now, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and Pro Bowler Winston has become the Saints’ top contingency plan when their starter goes down. But how much is Winston getting from the franchise to back up Derek Carr?
Details of Jameis Winston-New Orleans Saints Deal Revealed
Winston is currently on a one-year deal with the Saints worth up to $4 million.
His base salary for 2023 sits at $1,165,000. He can become an unrestricted free agent in the 2024 offseason when he is 30.
But that’s not the only deal he’s signed with the Saints before.
MORE: List of No. 1 Overall Picks in NFL Draft History
He’s been with the franchise since 2020, as the Bucs severed ties with him to make room for Tom Brady. Winston eventually stayed within the division by signing with the Saints on a one-year, $1,100,000 deal.
Turns out the Saints took a liking to having him as a serviceable option. They went on to sign him for another year, but this time upped his money value to $5,500,000 in 2021. Following that deal, the franchise rewarded him with a two-year contract that paid him $28 million total, with a signing bonus of $14 million.
Now, even with a one-year deal, Winston has managed to hang around the Big Easy for four seasons.
How Dependable Has Winston Been With the Saints?
Winston has started in 10 total games for the Saints. He’s 6-4 overall as a starter.
In the last two seasons, he’s lined up behind center in rotational duties as he split time with the versatile Taysom Hill.
But Winston’s best showing was in 2021 — when he went 5-2 leading the Saints’ offense. He completed 59% of his throws and tossed 14 touchdown passes with just three interceptions. He added 1,170 passing yards with the Saints.
In 2022, Winston went 1-2 as a starter. His completion percentage improved to 63.5%, but his touchdown passes dropped to four. He was picked off five times.
This season, Winston has attempted 47 passes and completed 25 of his throws. He has 264 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He was last seen hitting two of five passes for 41 yards after Carr went down versus the Detroit Lions.
Meanwhile against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 12, Winston completed 13 passes out of 25 attempts for 122 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the 27-19 loss. As well, earlier in 2023, Winston put together a 10-of-16 outing for 101 yards in the 18-17 defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers.
Winston has gone from a 5,000-yard passer in 2019 to a backup for Drew Brees and Carr. But, the Saints have viewed him as an asset for when the offense needs a fill-in.
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