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Jameis Winston After 30 INT Season: 'You Look at My Numbers, I'm Ballin''
December 30, 2019
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston remained upbeat despite finishing the 2019 season with 30 interceptions, the last of which resulted in a 28-22 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Speaking with reporters after the game, Winston dismissed his turnover numbers and pointed to his gaudy passing yards (5,109) and passing touchdowns (33).
"You look at my numbers, I'm ballin'," Winston said.
On the first play of overtime, Deion Jones stepped in front of a Winston pass and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Winston is the first player in NFL history to finish with 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. He joins elite company as well by eclipsing the 5,000-yard mark.
Winston is correct in that he could be one of the NFL's best quarterbacks if he were to cut out so many of his turnovers. But Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians provided the most succinct summary of the fifth-year passer:
Since entering the league in 2015, Winston has thrown an NFL-high 88 interceptions, according to Pro Football Reference. Philip Rivers is the only other quarterback with 70-plus picks.
Brett Favre is the prime example of a quarterback who succeeded despite taking chances and often piling up the turnovers. Favre is a Hall of Famer despite owning the all-time interceptions record (336).
Winston (3.4 percent) and Favre (3.3 percent) are nearly equal in interception rate as well, per Pro Football Reference. Granted, Winston plays in an era where rule changes have made life much easier for quarterbacks compared to the bulk of Favre's playing career.
The Buccaneers will undoubtedly have a difficult decision this offseason as Winston approaches free agency. He made clear progress in his first season with Arians yet committed the same errors he has from seasons before.
Making the former Heisman Trophy winner the foundation of your offense—be it in Tampa Bay or elsewhere—remains a risky proposition.