Winston looking forward to playing Buccaneers, Brady
Jameis Winston signed with the New Orleans Saints for the "Harvard education" in quarterbacking he'd get from Drew Brees and the team's coaching staff. But the opportunity to play his former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, also played a significant role.
"It was a time for me to learn from one of the best (Brees). And also being in the same division, I get a chance to play against Tampa Bay twice and get a chance to play some of the same teams, even though Carolina has a new head coach," Winston said Friday on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access," per NFL.com's Michael Baca.
The Buccaneers drafted Winston first overall in 2015. He spent the last five seasons as their starting quarterback and hit free agency after his 33-touchdown, 30-interception campaign in 2019.
Head coach Bruce Arians said previously that Tampa Bay would re-sign Winston if it failed to land a proven veteran quarterback. But Tom Brady joined on a two-year contract worth $25 million per season, leading Winston to sign a one-year deal with the Saints reportedly worth $1.1 million plus incentives.
Though he holds no ill will toward his former teammates, Winston is looking forward to the matchups against the Buccaneers.
"I can't wait to compete against them," Winston said. "It's going to be fun. I know Tom is going to bring his relentlessness and his attitude there, but it's going to be fun, and we're ready to compete. We've always been competing.
"When I was at Tampa, we got them sometimes and they got us sometimes. Last year (New Orleans) swept us, so I know (Tampa Bay's) going to try and come and get us this year, but I'm in that black and gold now, so I'm gonna be like, 'Who dat? Who dat say they gone beat them Saints?"
There's no guarantee Winston will even see the field in 2020. Not only would something have to happen to Brees, but Winston would have to beat out fellow backup Taysom Hill for the job.
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