Report: Bucs will ride hot hand at QB and Winston’s fine with it

The debate of whether or not the Buccaneers will keep franchise quarterback Jameis Winston benched was stirred up this past week after Ryan Fitzpatrick’s Week 1 performance against the New Orleans Saints. Keeping Winston benched on a short week when he returns from suspension Week 4 was possible. Now it seems to be reality, but with games to follow.

According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tampa Bay may continue to have Winston sit on the bench if Fitzpatrick continues to play well. This is also apparently agreed upon by Winston.

Sources say the Bucs might hold off installing Winston as the starter when he returns from suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy in Week 4. With a short week after playing on Monday night in Week 3, Ryan Fitzpatrick could remain the starter for at least another week.

Both Winston and Tampa Bay are committed to doing what’s in the best interest of the team. If that means riding the hot hand, that will be OK. Winston has told the team as much, while also noting that he expected Fitz to play well.

That last paragraph sounds like Winston. He’s always been about the team first ahead of himself.

However, Rapoport does note later on that Winston will eventually return. He adds that the team’s success with the current group of receivers, the play from the offensive line, and playcalling from offensive coordinator Todd Monken has the team anxious to see what Winston can do.

They won’t keep him shelved for long.