TAMPA, FL - DEC 21: Jameis Winston (3) of the Bucs holds the football after Ronald Jones scored a rushing touchdown during the regular season game between the Houston Texans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 21, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Arians: Bucs will bring back Winston unless big-name FA QB emerges

6 years ago

Icon Sportswire / Getty

Bruce Arians revealed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' plan for determining their 2020 starting quarterback while speaking Tuesday at the scouting combine.

In an interview with NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano, the Bucs head coach initially said: "We have a plan, we're just not telling anybody." Then, he was pressed further by Siciliano.

Bruce Arians says he has NOT told Jameis Winston the Buccaneers plan at QB.

“We have a plan, we’re just not telling anybody.”#NFLNow @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/WKntWQzeuZ
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) February 25, 2020

"Can I try to translate? Jameis (Winston) is coming back unless there's somebody out there that you might prefer and you think you can get him. And if you can get him, whomever that is, then that is your guy. Am I reading that the right way?"

"Pretty much it," Arians responded. "We can win with Jameis. There's no doubt about that."

After five seasons as the starting quarterback in Tampa, Winston is scheduled to become a free agent in March. The Bucs have plenty of options under center, including franchise tagging Winston, signing him to a multi-year contract, or chasing one of the other quarterbacks set to hit the market.

Without knowing how the landscape will change in the future, Arians said the current plan is to bring Winston back for at least a sixth season.