Report: Bucs HC Bruce Arians 'Loved' Jameis Winston, Hoped QB 'Could Be Saved'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians reportedly "loved" former Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston and hoped he "could be saved." The team changed course this offseason by signing longtime New England Patriots signal-caller Tom Brady in free agency.

NBC Sports' Peter King reported Monday that Tampa Bay would have considered a reunion with Winston, an unrestricted free agent, if it wasn't able to land either Brady or Teddy Bridgewater, who joined the Carolina Panthers via the open market.

Arians provided a blunt assessment of Winston's play in December after he became the first quarterback in NFL history with at least 30 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions in the same season.

"You look at it, and there's so much good and so much outright terrible," Arians told reporters. "We got to weigh that and see what happens."

The 26-year-old Florida State product showed plenty of playmaking ability across five years with the Buccaneers. He accounted for 19,737 passing yards, 1,044 rushing yards and 131 total touchdowns (121 passing and 10 rushing) in 72 regular-season appearances.

He could never get his turnover problems under control, though. He racked up 88 interceptions and 50 fumbles, 23 of which resulted in a loss of possession. He had 35 turnovers in 2019.

Winston posted a goodbye message to the Bucs on Saturday:

Now the question is whether he'll get an opportunity to start elsewhere.

ESPN's John Keim reported there's "no chance" the Washington Redskins will sign him. Michael Giardi of NFL Network added it's "unlikely" the Patriots view him as a possible replacement for Brady.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins are expected to address their quarterback concerns in April with their top-five picks in the 2020 NFL draft.

That leaves the Jacksonville Jaguars or Los Angeles Chargers as the only teams where Winston would likely receive at least the opportunity to compete for the starting spot.

His mistake-prone style of play also doesn't fit the prototypical backup mold, which further complicates his outlook as a free agent if the Jags or Bolts aren't interested.