Jameis Winston isn't leaving Tampa Bay anytime soon.
The Buccaneers plan to stick with their starting quarterback, despite his struggles on and off the field, general manager Jason Licht confirmed Monday.
"Jameis Winston will be here," Licht said. "We have him under contract for a year. He has done some amazing things for a young — 24, turns 25 in a week — quarterback that has accomplished more than most of the elite quarterbacks have at his age throughout ... that timespan. There's a lot to like about Jameis. Jameis will be here next year."
GM Jason Licht is live at the podium for his press conference https://t.co/C5Kv7URegC
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 31, 2018
The organization believes Winston is the right quarterback to continue leading the team. He will be heading into his fifth-year option and is scheduled to make $20 million next season, and Winston could make Buccaneers history by becoming the first quarterback to be re-signed to a contract.
Famed Bucs quarterbacks Doug Williams, Steve Young, Vinny Testaverde and Trent Dilfer never got an extension.
Winston, the team's No. 1 pick out of the 2015 draft, enters Sunday's game against the Falcons with 2,647 yards, 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 10 games this season. He started in eight of those games, while Ryan Fitzpatrick filled in during Winston's suspension and a couple other games where Winston was benched due to poor play.