New England Patriots rumors: Jameis Winston a bargain bridge option
By Sam Minton
With Cam Newton’s future in New England a question mark, the New England Patriots could bring in Jameis Winston while they wait to find their franchise quarterback.
Well, this is the state of the New England Patriots in 2020. Fans are no longer looking forward to the playoffs, now fans are looking towards the future. The most important factor seems to be at the quarterback position. Could Jameis Winston be the answer?
At the beginning of the season, everyone thought Jarrett Stidham was the answer. He was the talk of Training Camp, but quickly his dream of being a starting QB fell apart.
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Stidham dealt with injuries and Cam Newton was brought in. At least in 2020, Stidham would not be a starter.
Now expectations for Newton weren’t extremely high, but Patriots fans had hope. They believed Newton could possibly take the team to the playoffs and once you got in, anything could happen.
But Newton has been disappointing. He is a quality rusher and a great athlete, but his decision making when throwing the ball leaves a lot to be desired. Newton has thrown only a handful of touchdowns but has 10 interceptions.
Looking ahead to 2021, the Patriots need to make some changes. They of course will select a quarterback in the NFL Draft, but it seems unlikely that he starts right away. So who will start next season?
Newton is definitely an option. With another year to learn the offense, he could improve but it would be risky. At this point, the Patriots need to decide who they are. Are they a bad team or a contender?
Living in the middle doesn’t help anyone. They either need to get a top draft pick or go all out for a championship.
That’s why some changes could be needed. As much as I love Newton I think the Patriots need to go in a new direction. Why not bring in Jameis Winston? Mike Lombardi thinks it could work.
"“I think you can fix James Winston,” Lombardi said Friday on WEEI’s “Ordway, Merloni and Fauria,” via WEEI.com. “I was thinking the Patriots might have an interest this offseason in Jameis Winston because I think he can be fixed.”"
Winston led the NFL in passing yards in 2019. The only problem was that he also led the league in interceptions. If anyone can fix that it’s Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels.
You would likely get Winston for a cheap deal as well. Right now he is basically the Saints third-string QB. The possibility of being a starter again could lure Winston to New England.
At least with Winston, the Patriots would get something new. If he struggles the Patriots would get a great draft pick and they could hand the keys off to their draft pick when the 2022 season arrives.