Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston comments on deep ball struggles

It is no secret that Jameis Winston struggled with his deep ball last season. For us fans, it was frustrating to watch because the main reason the team signed DeSean Jackson, was because of his deep threat ability. The two weren’t off by a lot, but it was clearly not all there. Love him or hate him, we all know how hard Winston works day in and day out and that mindset hasn’t changed one bit as he heads into his fourth NFL season.

Winston was asked how this offseason is different from others and he had a very Jameis-like response.

“My work ethic is unparalleled when it comes to on and off the field. I do everything in this community and for this football team that I possibly can to get better,” Winston said. “Now, I can get better at that as well. Like I said, that’s just me. I’m trying to look to improve in everything that I do and if you think I need to get better, then I’ll get better.”

It seems as if every time Winston steps in front of a microphone, one of the first questions is about his deep ball and if he has worked on it. Jameis has improved in many different areas since he has entered the league and this offseason it seems as if the main focus, besides less fumbles, has been to improve in the deep game.

“Absolutely. After you take a good look at what I need to improve on the most, deep ball comes up every single year,” Winston said. “So, I’m definitely focusing on that and getting with my guys to see how we can make that possible.”

As mentioned before, the chemistry with Jackson and Winston just wasn’t fully there last season. In order for the Buccaneers to turn things around in 2018, it is imperative that these two get on the same page. Jackson, even at age 31, is still considered to be one of the best deep threats in the entire NFL and can be a gamebreaker for this team come the fall. Winston knows things had to change this year and he is doing everything he can to improve that chemistry with Jackson. In fact, the two connected on a nice wheel route from the slot during the first day of minicamp.

“Obviously, me and DeSean have done some good work towards that (improving the deep ball),” Winston said. “Definitely having two years up under our belts is going to help in terms of our performance together.”

It has been a huge topic of debate all offseason long and the only way people will stop talking about it is if the connection starts to happen more often. So here’s hoping Winston hits Jackson on an 80-yard bomb week one in New Orleans. It’s not a matter of if they will try it, it’s a matter of when.