Buccaneers Notes: Jameis Winston, DeSean Jackson, Starting QB

Jameis Winston

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that some around the NFL are wondering whether Jameis Winston could be traded before Tuesday’s deadline.

As one source with knowledge of the dynamics of the Winston-Bucs relationship explained to Florio that Bucs GM Jason Licht likely needs to team to keep Winston in place as the starting quarterback in the hope of proving that they made the right move by using the No. 1 overall pick on him.

By trading Winston, the Buccaneers would essentially be admitting that they blew it taking him. Beyond that, starting Ryan Fitzpatrick would like need to lead them to the playoffs to ensure Licht’s job is safe.

DeSean Jackson

• A report surfaced Sunday morning that Buccaneers WR DeSean Jackson has requested a trade out of Tampa Bay. (NFLTR)
• Mike Florio reports that there’s a theory going around that a team interested in trading for Jackson leaked the news in order to create momentum toward making a trade happen.

Starting QB

Buccaneers HC Dirk Koetter wasn’t willing to say much about who will be the team’s starting quarterback moving forward after Jameis Winston was benched in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick.

“We don’t need to talk about it [today],” Koetter said, per Greg Auman. “I mean, today is not the day I have to decide that, right? We don’t have to talk about that today.

“I don’t have any problems making decisions, and I will make it when the time is right. Now is probably not the right time to make it.”