USA Today via Reuters
Aug 14, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) high fives running back Ty Montgomery (88) during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports| Credit: Reuters
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 14, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) high fives running back Ty Montgomery (88) during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports| Credit: Reuters
NFL franchise New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston seems to be running his way back to fitness and possibly new pastures. The 28-year-old posted a video running on the treadmill after undergoing a successful left ACL surgery. With Winston getting back to full fitness, new doors of opportunity might come calling, as his contract expires, and he might be entering free agency.
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The video that was posted on Monday by his physical therapist, Kevin Wilk, shows Winston all smiles and lightly working on the treadmill machine. The Saints QB tore his ACL in the Week 8 fixture against his former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Winston was playing in his second season with the Saints franchise when calamity struck as his injury also had MCL damage.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 25, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) passes the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports | Courtesy: Reuters
The soon-to-be free agent QB did end up completing 95 of 161 passes in 2021 for 1,170 yards, 14 touchdowns, and three interceptions last year. Despite lacking strong figures, Winston holds a 5-2 win-loss record as the Saints’ starting QB. The team holds a 4-6 win-loss record without him.
Is Jameis Winston heading back to his Tampa Bay?
While he continued playing in the league, he was only signing one-year deals with the Saints. The former Buccaneer played his first five seasons in Tampa, Florida, and might once again be heading for free agency. As things stand with his contract situation, Winston currently ranks No. 23 in analyst Gregg Rosenthal’s Top 101 NFL free agents of the 2022 season.
Read More: Buccaneers Insider Drops Massive Update on Jameis Winston Possibly Returning to Replace Tom Brady
The road to once again playing regular football seems achievable for Winston as he aims to attract potential suitors. The top of that list might just be his former NFL franchise, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who currently might test the free agency waters for a new QB.
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The search comes following franchise QB and NFL legend Tom Brady retiring from NFL after playing 22 seasons in the league.
Free-agent-to-be QB Jameis Winston is running today for the first time since undergoing surgery on the left ACL he tore Oct. 31 vs. the Buccaneers, 📹 by Kevin Wilk @ChampionSportsM pic.twitter.com/Lt3aH4hgRX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2022
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The move could be a welcome boost for Winston, who will be out to prove his doubters wrong. There remains an option that Saints might resign the QB as they look for attracting top QB talent themselves. It is an exciting yet nervous time for Jameis, who is entering his prime years. He will hope to showcase his skills and talents with a proper team.
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