TAMPA, Fla. _ This is uncharted territory for Jameis Winston, going through a game week when he's healthy and eligible to play, but plays the role of a backup quarterback. He is taking second-team reps and trying to optimistically look forward to the opportunity when he can regain the controls of the Bucs offense.
Speaking for the first time since he was benched in favor of veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, Winston on Thursday referred to the setback as one chapter of a continuing narrative that will have a positive ending.
"I don't think I've ever been benched," Winston said Thursday. "It's humbling, and it's definitely something I can grow from and learn from and you know what, it just adds to the story. I just have to keep working hard. Like I've said, every year my goal is to get better and better, and right now, I'm not getting the job done, so I have been replaced and I'm moving forward, yeah."
Winston, who found his way to the bench after throwing 10 interceptions in four games since returning from his three-game suspension to open the season, knows how he got here. He said he didn't expect to be benched this week against Carolina, but understands why.
"I didn't expect it," Winston said, "but one thing about me, I can be honest with myself in terms of playing on the field, and turnovers. ... If you turn the ball over at any (level), college, high school, it's going to put your team in a bad position to win and we need to win as a team. I definitely understood why coach (Dirk) Koetter went with Fitz."
Koetter said the decision was made because Fitzpatrick gives the team the best chance to win this week against the Panthers. Both Koetter and offensive coordinator Todd Monken believe Winston will have another opportunity to shine.
Asked whether he believes his future remains with the Bucs, he said, "Yeah, hopefully."
"I know I'm going to be working my tail off to be ready when my time comes again. Right now, that's what I'm going to do. I'm gonna make sure I'm preparing every single week, being a great teammate that I can be, being the great quarterback that I can be and that's all."
Anytime an organization benches it's franchise quarterback, it suggests they've done everything possible to make the situation work. But the 3-4 Bucs are in a unique situation. Right now, they are team that's forcibly in win-now mode because front office and coaching jobs are on the line. Tampa Bay has no time to wait for Winston to find his way on the field.
"I think winning is critical in any organization," Winston said. "Winning is really important, and winning is really important to me, so that's why I'm able to stomach this and just look on what I can do to get better.
"It's a setback," Winston added. "But it's a minor setback for a major comeback. It just tells you that you've got to continue to get better. I've never been in this situation before, so I have to learn from it and I have to grow from it. I have no choice."
