Jameis Winston Wasn't Offered Steelers Contract Before Saints Deal, GM Says

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said Wednesday the team didn't make a contract offer to quarterback Jameis Winston before he signed with the New Orleans Saints.

"I can honestly say that we absolutely made no negotiation or any offer to any veteran quarterback," Colbert said during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan Radio in Pittsburgh (via Greg Auman of The Athletic).

However, Colbert didn't deny that the Steelers could have had internal discussions regarding Winston or other available quarterbacks.

"We'are always going to watch what's out there," Colbert said, via Eric Hagman of 93.7 The Fan.  "It's my job to evaluate any position, any player that happens to be available, and we do that."

Nick Sitro of Bucs Report previously reported the Steelers made Winston a "more lucrative" contract proposal than he ultimately accepted from the Saints.

The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller signed a one-year, $1.1 million deal with New Orleans that also features $3.4 million in potential incentives, per ESPN's Field Yates.

He'll likely serve as the chief backup to Drew Brees in 2020, though triple-threat weapon Taysom Hill will receive some snaps at the position as well.

Winston would have joined a crowded fight for the No. 2 job if he went to Pittsburgh. It's a battle currently featuring Mason Rudolph, Paxton Lynch, Devlin Hodges and J.T. Barrett.

The 26-year-old Florida State product is coming off one of the wildest QB seasons in history. He led the NFL with 5,109 passing yards and ranked second with 33 touchdown passes, but he also tossed a league-leading 30 interceptions to post the first ever 30-30 season.

He explained his decision to sign with the Saints on Instagram Live (via NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman):

"Being a part of the New Orleans Saints, being a part with Drew Brees, Taysom Hill, Sean Payton, coach Joe Lombardi, coach Pete Carmichael. When you think about that room, that's like a Harvard education in quarterback school. I wanted to put my ego aside, put the money [aside], think about my family, think about my career. [There] was no better position than to be in the same room with someone that I've really looked up to, someone that I've admired since I've been playing this game in Drew Brees."

The short-term deal will allow Winston to spend a year in the Saints' high-powered system before entering free agency again to see whether there's a starting job available.

Former Saints backup Teddy Bridgewater paved a similar path. He was traded to New Orleans in 2018, re-signed with the organization in 2019 and is now the Carolina Panthers' projected starter after agreeing to a three-year, $63 million contract in March.

Winston's playmaking ability should ensure he eventually gets another crack at a starting spot in New Orleans or elsewhere. He must significantly cut down on the mistakes to find long-term success, though.