Jameis Winston showed a lot of respect for fellow quarterback Baker Mayfield after the two played for NFC South rivals in 2023.
Winston, who was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2015 to 2019, recently signed with the Cleveland Browns . Mayfield started his career in 2018 with the Browns, who picked him first in the draft.
Mayfield rebuilt his career in Tampa last season while Winston was a backup with the New Orleans Saints. Winston watched Mayfield's comeback from the sidelines when the Buccaneers beat the Saints in 2023.
“He is really good,” Winston told Theo Von on the ‘This Past Weekend” podcast on Tuesday. “There are many inspiring stories of people overcoming challenges. You will turn things around.”
Mayfield was traded by the Browns in 2022 to the Carolina Panthers, but it didn't work out for him. The Panthers released Mayfield after a 1-5 record in December 2022.
He found success with the Los Angeles Rams where he had a 1-3 record and completed 63.6% of his passes for 850 yards and four touchdowns versus two interceptions. Mayfield joined the Buccaneers in March 2023 after Tom Brady‘s retirement.
Mayfield led the Buccaneers to a 9-8 record, NFC South title, and NFC Divisional Round appearance. He completed 64.3% of his passes for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns versus 10 interceptions.
Baker Mayfield and Jameis Winston Have Opposite Starts in Tampa
Mayfield’s success in Tampa earned him a three-year, $100 million deal. He aims to continue his success in Tampa after re-signing in March.
“So my goal is to try and win a couple [Super Bowls],” Mayfield told reporters on March 13.
Winston didn't have the same success with the Buccaneers, who picked him first in 2015. He never led Tampa Bay to the playoffs, which led to him leaving in free agency and Brady joining in 2020.
Even though Winston put up impressive numbers, such as three seasons with over 4,000 yards and a 33-touchdown season in 2019, he struggled with turnovers, with 14 or more interceptions in three of his first four seasons, and 30 interceptions in 2019 causing problems for the former Florida State star.
Jameis Winston Continues to Rebuild NFL Career
Winston was on the bench Drew Brees with the Saints in 2020, but got a chance in 2021 after Brees retired. An ACL injury ended Winston's season, as he finished with 1,170 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and three interceptions.
In 2022, Winston played briefly, completing 63.5% of his passes for 858 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions before getting injured. Then, New Orleans signed Derek Carr in 2023, leaving Winston on the bench.
Now, Winston hopes to make the most of his opportunity in Cleveland behind DeShaun Watson — the quarterback the Browns traded for before Mayfield left.
“I believe the most important thing is the relationship between me and Deshaun, it will continue to grow and flourish. I really respect him as a person and as a football player,” Winston informed Von.
“I am excited to support him and offer him help with anything he needs, and also motivate him and give him access to resources that he may not have received from others who have been in similar situations… just helping him and the team in the best way possible,” Winston said.
