Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston is facing a three-game suspension to start the 2018 NFL season.
The Bucs will have to turn to Ryan Fitzpatrick again
Friday’s Rise ‘n Grind takes a look at the awful timing of Jameis Winston’s suspension, the Ryan Fitzpatrick curse taking on a new meaning, and more.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
It’s bad news for Tampa Bay, a team that faces the Saints, Super Bowl champion Eagles, and Steelers to start out the year. All three of those teams won their divisions in 2017.
Behind Winston on the depth chart are Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Griffin, and Austin Allen. None of those guys inspire confidence and it’s possible the Buccaneers now go after another quarterback via either a trade or the dismal free agent market. Maybe they’ll consider Colin Kaepernick; probably not though.
Winston’s suspension stems from an incident during which he was accused of groping an Uber driver. He was not arrested or charged with a crime, but in the NFL, that doesn’t matter under the policy conduct policy. The league will still investigate the situation.
Bucs Nation broke down more of the specifics and some of the confusion surrounding the situation here.
The Bucs are coming off a rough 2017 season. They went 5-11 after having high expectations going into the year. Their last season with double digit wins was back in 2010 and the last time they made the playoffs was 2007. With Winston now suspended to start off 2018, it’s hard to see the Bucs getting back into the playoff conversation this season. Going 0-3 to start the year is likely for Tampa Bay.
Today’s NFL headlines
Maybe I’m in the minority, but I really love Baker Mayfield. And, the Browns quarterback roasting Colin Cowherd only makes me love him more.
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