There aren't many NFL quarterbacks who have had a career like Jameis Winston.
From being a Heisman Trophy winner and the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft to displaying flashes of brilliance punctuated by erratic turnovers and significant off-field scrutiny, Winston's journey in professional football has been a dramatic, high-variance spectacle. His talent has never been in question — he possesses an elite arm and a natural football intelligence — but the consistent application of that talent, particularly in minimizing critical mistakes, has defined his polarizing tenure in the league.
This conundrum has made Winston jump around in the back end of his NFL career, playing for three teams since leaving Tampa Bay in 2020. Since, he has had stints with the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants.
New York is the scene for the latest chapter to Winston's career, and while he might not be one of the best quarterbacks of the generation, he is one of the most memorable.
Here's Winston's career timeline, from his Heisman season at Florida State to his role as a backup in the Big Apple.
MORE: When did Jameis Winston get drafted?
Where did Jameis Winston go to college?
Jameis Winston attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla. He was a former 5-star quarterback recruit from the class of 2012 out of Hueytown, Ala. Ranking as the No. 1 overall signal-caller prospect in his class, he ultimately signed with the Noles and head coach Jimbo Fisher. When Winston arrived at Florida State, the Noles were enjoying unprecedented success under Fisher.
FSU's starting quarterback in 2012 was former first-round draft pick E.J. Manuel, so Winston took a redshirt. He was named the Noles' starting quarterback prior to the 2013 season, and had instant success in the starting role.
He successfully led Florida State to an undefeated regular season, capped off by a dominant win over Duke in the ACC title game. He threw for 3,820 yards with 38 touchdowns and 10 touchdowns, and became the youngest player and first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. FSU was awarded a spot in the BCS National Championship Game, where he led the Noles to a come-from-behind 34-31 victory over Auburn to give FSU its first national title since 1999.
In 2014, Winston's numbers regressed, as he threw for 3,559 yards, 24 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Florida State went undefeated and won the ACC yet again, but fell 59-20 to the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff Semifinal.
But Winston's time at Florida State wasn't without controversy. His 2013 season was overshadowed by sexual assault allegations made against him in 2012, the year he took his redshirt. Florida State was also subject to a Title IX investigation of its handling of the allegations.
Before the 2014 season, he was issued a citation for shoplifting crab legs from a local Publix grocery store, and he was suspended a game in 2014 for yelling obscenities on-campus.
Winston later settled with his 2012 accuser in 2016.
Jameis Winston's collegiate stats
| Year | Record | Comp % | Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
| 2013 | 14-0 | 66.9 | 4,057 | 40 | 10 | 184.8 |
| 2014 | 13-1 | 65.3 | 3,907 | 25 | 18 | 145.5 |
| Total | 27-1 | 66.1 | 7,964 | 65 | 28 | 165.2 |
Because he had already spent three years in college, Winston was able to declare for the 2015 NFL Draft. He was drafted No. 1 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here's a look at some of the other signal-callers in his draft class.
- Marcus Mariota: Selected No. 2 overall by the Titans
- Garrett Grayson: Selected No. 11 in the third round by the Saints
- Sean Mannion: Selected No. 25 in the third round by the Rams
- Bryce Petty: Selected No. 4 in the fourth round by the Jets
- Brett Huntley: Selected No. 11 in the fifth round by the Packers
- Trevor Semien: Selected No. 33 in the seventh round by the Broncos
MORE: Ranking the 16 greatest Florida State players of all time
How many teams has Jameis Winston played for?
Winston has played for four NFL teams throughout his career. He spent the longest in Tampa, who selected him with the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New Orleans Saints
- Cleveland Browns
- New York Giants
Tampa Bay (2015-2019)
Despite drafting Winston with high hopes for the future, the Buccaneers never could find their stride with Winston under center. His rookie season, he threw for 4,042 yards with 22 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Fans selected him Rookie of the Year, as his total passing yards were the third-most by a rookie in league history. The Bucs finished 6-10 his first season.
Winston led the Bucs to a 9-7 record in his second season, but failed to claim a playoff berth. Winston had an even bigger passing season, throwing for 4,090 yards with 28 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
But over the course of Winston's next three seasons, Tampa never cracked.500, and the Bucs' dream of having him as his franchise quarterback faded. After the 2019 season, Tampa Bay opted to not use the franchise tag on him, paving the way for Tom Brady's arrival in 2020.
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New Orleans Saints (2020-2023)
The Saints signed Winston to a one-year contract in 2020, as he was expected to be a back-up for starter Drew Brees. Winston made just four game appearances that season, throwing seven completions for 75 yards.
Following Brees' retirement following the 2020 season, Winston was Saints starter for the 2021 season. He won the job over Taysom Hill. Winston's season actually got off to a positive start, going 5-2 and throwing for 1,170 yards with 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions. But during a Week 8 game against Tampa, Winston suffered a season-ending ACL injury.
Early in the 2022 season, Winston played through numerous back injuries, throwing for just 858 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions. He was inactive for Weeks 4 and 5, and back-up Andy Dalton was named New Orleans' starter the rest of the season.
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Cleveland Browns (2024)
Winston signed with Cleveland in March of 2024. He sat behind Deshaun Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson before taking over for Watson when he tore his Achilles in Week 8.
Winston injected a much-needed jolt of excitement and volatility into the Browns' offense. His run included setting a new franchise single-game passing record with nearly 500 yards in one contest. While his overall play was a rollercoaster— high yardage totals were often paired with costly turnovers — he stabilized the offense enough to show that the team's system could still be highly effective. He finished the season passing for 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
During his time in Cleveland, he played a role in arguably one of the most memorable games of the entire season, was the snowy victory over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Played in a near-whiteout at Huntington Bank Field, Winston's performance was legendary, characterized by his infectious enthusiasm, fiery pregame speech, and crucial plays in the challenging conditions. Most memorably, he sealed his place in Browns' lore by scrambling and leaping into the end zone for a go-ahead touchdown, capping the effort with a celebratory snow angel and famously asking reporters afterward, "Am I a Brown yet?"
MORE: Why did the Browns move to Baltimore?
New York Giants (2025-present)
Winston signed a two-year contract with the Giants in March 2025, joining a roster that included Russell Wilson and rookie Jaxson Dart. He was initially viewed as a depth piece, expressing his readiness to take on "every role that the quarterback room has to offer."
Despite being listed as the third-string quarterback for the start of the 2025 season, Winston's role shifted dramatically due to injuries to the players ahead of him. Following the firing of the head coach Brian Daboll and with the rookie starter Dart in concussion protocol, Winston was elevated to the number two spot on the depth chart and was expected to start against the Green Bay Packers in Week 11.
MORE: Ranking the 17 greatest Giants players of all time
Jameis Winston NFL career earnings
According to Spotrac, Winston has earned over $80 million in his career.
The bulk of Winston's earnings came with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he has made substantial money with both the Saints and Browns, as well.
When he was drafted by the Bucs. He signed a 4-year, $25.35 million contract with Tampa Bay. It included a signing bonus north of $16 million.
His contract with the New Orleans Saints in 2020 was a one-year, $1.1 million deal. When he re-signed with the team in 2021, it increased to $5.5 million. In 2022, he agreed to a new two-year, $28 million contract.
Winston's 2024 contract with the Cleveland Browns, including a base salary of $1.21 million and a signing bonus of $2.79 million totals to $4 million.
Winston signed a 2 year, $8 million contract with the Giants, including a $2 million signing bonus, $5.2 million guaranteed.
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