TAMPA, Fla. — Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians, who had cited quarterback Jameis Winston as a major reason he came out of retirement, declined to say whether or not Winston would be part of the organization’s plans after the 2019 season, when his rookie contract expires.
Arians was asked Wednesday if he was to sit down with ownership this week and they asked him for an evaluation, if he’d say unequivocally that Winston’s their starting quarterback going forward.
“I’m gonna pass on that one,” said Arians who, publicly, has been a supporter of Winston’s through much of the season while acknowledging that his turnovers have been a problem. “I’m gonna wait until the end of December.”
Sources have told ESPN that the organization remains undecided on Winston’s status going forward. He’s continued to struggle with turnovers in Arians’ offense, throwing a league-high 20 interceptions along with 22 touchdowns this year. He’s also now turned the ball over 101 times, the most of any player in the league since 2015. Arians has, however, cited that not all of those turnovers are on Winston. He’s also praised him for his ability to handle two-minute situations.
“There’s been really, really, really good and there’s been some really, really bad,” Arians said. “I’m gonna pass until it’s over and then we’ll make a decision.”
Some in the organization feel Winston should continue as the starting quarterback, while others believe a fresh start is needed at the position.
Arians also declared that second-year running back Ronald Jones will remain the starter for the remainder of the season despite pulling him in the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars for missing a blitz pickup that resulted in a sack-forced fumble of Winston.
“I don’t have any concerns with the running game right now. Rojo is still our starter and we’ll get him going,” said Arians, who’s been pleased with the response he’s seen out of Jones while emphasizing that the team must treat each game like it’s the postseason despite being 5-7.
“I just reaffirmed to him [that] he’s my guy and, ‘Hey, we’re in the playoffs now. We can’t have that. If you have that, you’re standing next to me [on the sideline].”