Account
Report: Jameis Winston a 'Likely' Cut by Saints After Rumored Derek Carr Contract
March 6, 2023
New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winson is a "likely salary-cap casualty" with the team signing Derek Carr on Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Such a move may not happen for a few months, however. Per that report, "New Orleans could move on and save $4.4 million against the salary cap, but it would take on $11.2 million in dead money. A post-June 1 cut would save $12.8 million, but no savings until then."
Winston, 29, had mixed success in three seasons with the Saints, throwing for 2,103 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions in 14 games (10 starts), completing 61 percent of his passes while taking 24 sacks.
He started as Drew Brees' backup in 2020 before earning the starting gig in 2021. That season was cut short after seven games, however, as he tore his ACL. He again went into the 2022 season as the starter before injuring his back and playing just three games, with Andy Dalton remaining the starter the rest of the way.
"I lost my job due to injury and the policy has always been you don't lose your job due to injury," Winston told reporters in November, clearly miffed that he wasn't given another shot to earn the starting gig after he felt he was recovered enough to play. "And that's what happened."
He continued:
"What's going on right now is what I've got to deal with right now and focus on right now. I'll handle what's going on right now, and when that time comes for me to eventually come back on the field, which hopefully it will, I'm going to support Andy, I'm going to support this offense, I'm going to support everyone on this offensive staff the best I possibly can, and that's it. Because, like I said, I wear that shirt that says, 'Big team, little me,' even though it hurts my heart. It hurts my soul the way things have turned out to be this year, but it is what it is."
With Carr now in New Orleans, and likely on a lucrative deal, finding a less expensive backup than Winston makes sense for the Saints. It ends a disappointing stay in New Orleans for the veteran quarterback, though he should have a solid market for teams seeking a backup once he's officially released.