NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Saints

Buccaneers

• While there was a debate about if the Saints waiting until after the qualifying period for compensatory picks to sign QB Jameis Winston despite apparently agreeing to terms beforehand would cost Tampa Bay a comp pick, the Athletic’s Greg Auman says it’s moot, as Winston’s salary is too low to qualify in the formula. 
• Buccanneers exercised TE O.J. Howard‘s fifth-year option. (NFLTR)

Falcons

• The Athletic’s Jason Butt says part of the reason Atlanta declined the fifth-year option for DE Takkarist McKinley is their salary cap situation for next year. The option would have been north of $10 million.
• He adds the Falcons could pick up a compensatory pick if McKinley signs a decent contract elsewhere, which wouldn’t happen if they picked up the option and then cut him later. 

Saints

There wasn’t much of a market for starting jobs for Jameis Winston after he left the Buccaneers this offseason. So faced with a potential career crossroads, Winston elected to take a likely huge cut in both salary and playing time for a job with the Saints that he hopes will pay off in the long run. 

“Being a part of the New Orleans Saints, being a part with Drew Brees, Taysom Hill, Sean Payton, coach Joe Lombardi, coach Pete Carmichael. When you think about that room, that’s like a Harvard education in quarterback school,” Winston said via NFL Media’s Jeremy Bergman. “I wanted to put my ego aside, put the money [aside], think about my family, think about my career. [There] was no better position than to be in the same room with someone that I’ve really looked up to, someone that I’ve admired since I’ve been playing this game in Drew Brees.”

Regarding playing as a backup to Brees and maybe even third-string behind Hill, Winston reiterated that playing for the Saints is a unique opportunity. He doesn’t have to look far in his own division — Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater got his job and $21 million a year after impressing in spot duty as a Saints backup the past two seasons. 

“There’s a proverb, humility comes before honor. I have to humble myself. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be with Drew Brees, to be with Sean Payton and just prepare for when my opportunity comes along,” said Winston, via Rick Stroud.

Winston said he will miss being a starting quarterback but feels that learning from Brees is the right decision. 

“I’ve done some great things with the Bucs. I’m going to miss being a starting quarterback. But you never know what happens. I think this is a great and unique step to join Drew Brees and (the Saints) and learn from him,” said Winston, via Auman.

Brees mentioned that he is excited to have Winston as a teammate and believes the quarterback has a strong determination and work ethic. 

“Excited to have him in the QB room. He’s got a lot of talent and a bright future. I’ve heard a lot of good things about his work ethic and love of the game,” said Brees, via Mike Triplett.

• According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Winston’s deal includes a $148,000 signing bonus, $952,000 base salary, $1.76 million in playing-time incentives, $1.8 million in playoff playing-time incentives and a $40,000 Pro Bowl incentive.
• It comes out to a base value of $1.1 million with a max of $4.7 million with all incentives.
• While there was a debate about if the Saints waiting until after the qualifying period for compensatory picks would be revoked, the Athletic’s Greg Auman says it’s moot as Winston’s salary is too low to qualify. 
• Winston said he’s not worried about transitioning to a situation where he’s not the starter and is trying to learn from a lower spot on the depth chart: “Every day I’m learning from someone else. This isn’t going to be new. The only thing that’s going to be new, is I’m not ‘The Guy.’ But to myself, I’m The Guy. That’s what this QB room breeds.” (Luke Johnson)