Jameis Winston isn’t feeling being the backup quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. Coming into the 2022 NFL season, Winston was expected to be their heir apparent to future Hall of Famer Drew Brees. And while things didn’t get off to a great start, an injury is what really derailed Winston’s hold on the QB1 position. Now healthy, a visibly upset Winston wants to know how did he lose his job because of injury?
Recently when speaking to reporters, the former No. 1 overall pick had this to say.
“It hurts my soul. … I lost my job due to injury, and the policy has always been you don’t lose your job because of injury.”
Winston is speaking of the NFL’s sort of unwritten rule that a player doesn’t lose his starting because he suffered an injury. But that’s up to the coach’s discretion, and in this situation Saints first-year head coach Dennis Allen has decided to stick with journeyman Andy Dalton instead of returning to Winston.
Some background on what Jameis Winston has been dealing with: He suffered a ruptured peroneal tendon in his foot against Tampa Bay, according to multiple sources. He went back in the game.
That injury, and not the back, has been bigger issue.
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) October 26, 2022
Winston Showed 2020 Flashes Until Injuries Ended Season
Following the retirement of the aforementioned Brees after the 2020 season, Winston won an open quarterback competition between him and Taysom Hill. Through the first seven-plus weeks of the season, Winston looked the part, passing for 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions. The Saints also boasted a 5-2 record with him under center until he tore his ACL in Week 8, effectively ending his season.
Coming into 2022 it was supposed to Winston’s job again, but subpar play in the first three weeks of the season and the subsequent injury have thrust Dalton into the fold.
Andy Dalton remains Saints' starter, even though Jameis Winston is healthy. https://t.co/28VSBYaaqo
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 26, 2022
Is This Winston’s Last Chance As An NFL Starter?
Winston was taken with the top overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, and while the strong-armed gunslinger has had his moments. He’s also had many forgettable ones as well. During the 2019 season, his final one in Tampa, Winston became the first QB to pass for 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a single season.
BALL GAME! pic.twitter.com/uY753y5aVp
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 29, 2019
His over 5,100 passing yards were tops in the league, but he also broke the record for most pick-sixes in a season with seven.
In the end the question that lingers is has Winston now become a permanent backup?
Well following Dalton’s 20-25 for 266 yards and three touchdowns performance in a 27-20 win over the Rams, Winston might wanna get comfortable holding the clipboard on the sidelines.
