Skip to content

Report: Buccaneers expected to bring back Winston in 2020

Julio Aguilar / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to bring back quarterback Jameis Winston in 2020, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

An unrestricted free agent in March, Winston will get tagged in some form - either with the franchise tag or the transition tag, Rapoport adds.

Tampa Bay could negotiate a contract extension with the 2015 No. 1 overall pick prior to the new league year beginning, but the two sides are unlikely to agree on a long-term deal.

Due to 2020 being the final year in the current collective bargaining agreement, teams can simultaneously use the franchise and transition tag on players.

The projected franchise tag value for quarterbacks is $27 million, while the transition tag would be $25 million.

Tampa Bay is set to conclude another campaign without full confidence that Winston, one of the most polarizing players in the NFL, can develop into a franchise quarterback.

The 25-year-old has already established new career highs with 4,573 passing yards and 30 touchdowns this season, but he also leads the league with 24 interceptions.

Winston added to those figures Saturday, throwing for 335 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans, though he added another four interceptions.

Head coach Bruce Arians was noncommittal on the quarterback after the game.

"There's been no decision on any player. We don't make those decisions until the end of the season," he said, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox