Jameis Winston

Early life

Winston was born in Bessemer, Alabama, on January 6, 1994. He attended Hueytown High School, where he played both football and baseball. Winston was considered the best dual-threat quarterback recruit in the nation by Rivals.com, and the best overall quarterback recruit by ESPN. Winston was also named the MVP of the ESPN RISE Elite 11 quarterback camp. Additionally, Winston earned the Gatorade Player of the Year recognition for the state of Alabama.

Winston committed to attend Florida State University on February 3, 2012. The Texas Rangers selected Winston in the 15th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft out of high school. Though the Rangers proposed allowing him to play for the Florida State Seminoles football team while working out with their baseball organization, Winston decided not to sign.

College career

Football

Winston redshirted during the 2012 college football season behind senior quarterback EJ Manuel.

Prior to the 2013 season, Winston was named Florida State's starting quarterback. In his college debut, he completed 25 of 27 passes with four passing touchdowns along with a rushing touchdown in a 41–17 victory over the University of Pittsburgh.

Winston helped lead the team to an undefeated 13–0 regular season record, including a 45–7 victory in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championship against Duke.

For his successes in 2013, Winston earned numerous accolades. He was named the 2013 ACC Offensive Player of the Year and ACC Player of the Year to go along with winning the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, Davey O'Brien Award, Manning Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, as well as the nickname "Famous Jameis". In addition, he was named as a consensus All-American. Most notably, he won the Heisman Trophy on December 14, 2013, beating out quarterbacks A. J. McCarron, Jordan Lynch, and Johnny Manziel, the previous winner, as well as running backs Tre Mason and Andre Williams. He became the second freshman to win the award, after Manziel won the previous year. He also became the youngest to win the award, at 19 years and 342 days.

On January 6, 2014, Winston's 20th birthday, Florida State defeated Auburn 34–31 in the 2014 BCS National Championship Game. Winston was named the Offensive MVP of the game after passing for 235 yards with two touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin with 13 seconds left. Winston finished his freshman season with a conference-leading 4,057 passing yards and 40 passing touchdowns, which set an ACC record and a Division I FBS freshman record, and his 184.8 passer rating led the NCAA.

Winston started 13 games his redshirt sophomore season. He did not play in one game due to suspension. After a 13–0 regular season, the Seminoles were selected to play in the 2015 Rose Bowl, a semifinal game in the College Football Playoff, against Oregon. Oregon would win the game by a score of 59–20, giving Winston his only loss as a starter during his college career. Winston finished the season with a conference-leading 3,907 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. He finished in sixth place in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2014.

Baseball

Winston chose Florida State in part because he was allowed to play for the Florida State Seminoles baseball team in addition to football. A switch-hitting batter and a right-handed thrower, he played as an outfielder and a pitcher as a freshman in 2013. He batted .235 with a .723 on-base plus slugging in 119 at-bats and had a 3.00 earned run average in 27 innings pitched. Prior to the 2014 season, Winston was named a preseason All-American by Baseball America as a 3rd-team utility player.

Professional career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took Winston first overall in the 2015 NFL draft. On May 1, 2015, Winston signed a four-year, $23.35 million contract with the Buccaneers, with a $16.7 million signing bonus. The contract prevented him from playing any other sport than football.

Winston played his first regular season game against the Tennessee Titans that featured fellow first rounder, Marcus Mariota. In the 42–14 loss, his first pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Coty Sensabaugh. Winston's interception was the first time a rookie's first pass was returned for a touchdown since Brett Favre in 1991.

On November 22, 2015, against the Philadelphia Eagles, Winston tied an NFL rookie and Buccaneers franchise record with five touchdown passes.

Winston set franchise rookie records in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns. Winston finished his rookie season with 4,042 passing yards, finishing 23 yards short of the franchise record set by Josh Freeman in 2012. Winston also became the third rookie quarterback to pass over 4,000 yards in a season. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team for his 2015 season, becoming the fourth Buccaneers quarterback to receive this award, joining Tom Owen (1974), Doug Williams (1978), and Mike Glennon (2013).

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady elected not to participate in the 2016 Pro Bowl following his team's loss in the AFC Championship game; as a result, Winston was selected to his first Pro Bowl game making him the first rookie quarterback in Buccaneers' history to be selected.

Winston's second season in the NFL began with an impressive performance against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome, in which he completed over 70% of his throws for 281 yards and four touchdown passes in a 31–24 victory. He earned National Football Conference (NFC) Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Falcons. Following Week 1, the Buccaneers began to struggle through injuries, inconsistent play, and offensive turnovers till mid-season, at which point the team was 3–5 and had experienced blowout losses to the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, and Atlanta Falcons – a three-game losing streak. Following the loss to the Falcons, the Winston-led Buccaneers began playing efficient offense as well as exceptional defense and special teams play, resulting in the Buccaneers' first five-game winning streak since their Super Bowl-winning season. The win streak gave the Buccaneers possession of the 6th seed in the NFC playoff race, which they quickly lost after back-to-back losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. Winston led the Buccaneers to their first winning season in six years after defeating the Carolina Panthers in the regular-season finale, during which he broke the franchise records for passing yards and passing touchdowns in a season and became the first quarterback in NFL history to start his career with consecutive seasons of 4,000 yards passing. However, the Buccaneers were eliminated from playoff contention via a tiebreaker with the Detroit Lions. He was ranked 57th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.

New Orleans Saints

On April 28, 2020, Winston signed a one-year contract with the Saints. His contract had a value of $1.1 million including his base salary of $952,000 and a signing bonus of $148,000 with a possible $3.4 million in incentives.

Winston made his first appearance of the 2020 season in Week 9 against his former team the Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football in relief of Drew Brees. Winston passed for 12 yards as the Saints beat the Bucs 38–3. In Week 10 against the 49ers, Winston came in the second half after Brees left the game with a rib injury. Winston completed 6 of 10 passes for 63 yards as the Saints won 27–13. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on December 20, 2020, and activated four days later.

In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Winston’s only appearance in the game was when he went into the lineup for a trick play and threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to Tre'Quan Smith during the 30–20 loss. The Buccaneers would eventually win Super Bowl LV.

On March 15, 2021, the day after Drew Brees announced his retirement, Winston re-signed with the Saints on a one-year deal worth $12 million. On August 27, 2021, Winston was named the starting quarterback for the Saints over Taysom Hill. Making his first start for the Saints against the Green Bay Packers, Winston threw for 147 yards and five touchdowns as the Saints won 38–3. The following week against the Panthers, with multiple starters injured and seven coaches sidelined due to COVID-19, Winston threw for 111 yards and 2 interceptions with no touchdowns in the 26–7 loss. During Week 5 against the Washington Football Team, Winston and the Saints overcame two early turnovers to beat Washington 33–22, while throwing for 279 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception, along with a fumble.

In Week 8 against the Buccaneers, Winston had to leave the game in the second quarter due to a knee injury after being horse-collar tackled by Tampa Bay linebacker Devin White. He would be replaced by Trevor Siemian, who went on to win the game, 36–27. The next day, it was revealed that Winston had suffered a torn ACL and had MCL damage, ending his season.

On March 21, 2022, Winston signed a two-year, $28 million contract extension with the Saints. On September 18, it was reported that Winston suffered four fractures in his back in Week 1. Winston played the first three games before being inactive in Weeks 4 and 5. After returning, Winston was named the second-string quarterback behind veteran Andy Dalton.

Cleveland Browns

On March 20, 2024, Winston signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns.

After starting quarterback Deshaun Watson was ruled out for the season with an Achilles tear on October 20, Winston took over as the starter beginning in Week 8. In his first start, Winston threw for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions, including a go-ahead touchdown with under a minute left as he led Cleveland to a 29–24 upset victory over the Baltimore Ravens. In Week 11 against the Saints, Winston threw for 395 yards and two touchdowns, including a career-long 89-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Jeudy as the Browns lost 35–14. The following week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Winston scrambled for a two-yard touchdown to give Cleveland a 12-point lead in snowy conditions. The Browns squandered that lead after a pair of turnovers from Winston in the fourth quarter, but he rallied Cleveland to a game-winning drive with under a minute left to win 24–19.

In Week 13 against the Denver Broncos, Winston set a Browns single-game record with 497 passing yards and four touchdowns, but his three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, doomed the Browns as they lost 41–32. Winston was replaced by Dorian Thompson-Robinson late in the second half of the Browns' Week 15 game against the Kansas City Chiefs after throwing three interceptions in a 21–7 loss. On December 17, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Thompson-Robinson would be the starter in Week 16's matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Prior to his benching, Winston threw for 2,121 yards with 13 touchdowns and 12 picks. Eight of his interceptions occurred over his last three games, all losses.

New York Giants

On March 31, 2025, Winston signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the New York Giants.

Prior to the start of the Giants opening regular season game, Winston was named as the third-string quarterback behind starter Russell Wilson and rookie Jaxson Dart.

On November 12, Winston was named the starting quarterback for the Giants' Week 11 matchup against the Green Bay Packers after Dart had suffered a concussion and Wilson was demoted to third string. In his first start in 11 months, Winston completed 19 of 29 passes for 201 yards and threw one interception. He also rushed for a 3 yard touchdown on a quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter to give the Giants a 20–19 lead, but the Packers scored a touchdown on the next drive. Winston threw his lone interception with 36 seconds left in the game, and while the Giants defense forced a punt, he was then stripped-sacked by Micah Parsons for the final play of the game and Packers CB Keisean Nixon recovered the fumble as the Giants lost the game by the score of 27–20. The following week against the Detroit Lions, Winston made 18 of 36 passes for 366 yards, including two touchdowns and one interception, while rushing 4 times for 13 yards. He also caught a 33 yard touchdown pass from teammate Gunner Olszewski on a trick play, making this Winston’s first receiving touchdown of his career. Ultimately, the Giants lost in overtime 34–27 after he was sacked on fourth down.

On September 6, 2026, the Giants signed Winston on a two-year, $13 million contract extension.

Career statistics

Career highlights

Awards and honors

NFL

Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year (2015)

Pro Bowl (2015)

NFL passing yards leader (2019)

PFWA All-Rookie Team (2015)

Ranked No. 57 in the Top 100 Players of 2017

College

Heisman Trophy (2013)

Walter Camp Award (2013)

Manning Award (2013)

Archie Griffin Award (2013)

AP Player of the Year (2013)

Sporting News Player of the Year (2013)

BCS National Championship (2014)

BCS National Championship Offensive MVP (2014)

Orange Bowl champion (2013)

Consensus All-American (2013)

NCAA passer rating leader (2013)

2× First-team All-ACC (2013, 2014)

ACC Player of the Year (2013)

ACC Offensive Player of the Year (2013)

ACC Rookie of the Year (2013)

ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year (2013)

Records

Most passing touchdowns in a single game by a rookie quarterback: 5 (tied with Ray Buivid, Matthew Stafford, Deshaun Watson, Daniel Jones and C. J. Stroud)

Most passing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback in one half: 4 (tied with Marcus Mariota and Deshaun Watson) (November 22, 2015, vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

Youngest player to pass for 3,000 yards: (21 years, 342 days) December 13, 2015

Youngest player to pass for 4,000 yards: (21 years, 363 days) January 3, 2016

Second youngest player to pass for 10,000 yards: (23 years, 303 days; 4 days older than Drew Bledsoe) November 5, 2017

Youngest player to pass for 40 touchdowns: (22 years, 312 days) November 13, 2016

Most seasons of passing for 4,000 yards to begin a career: 2 (2015–2016)

Most touchdown passes before 24th birthday: 69 (23 years, 360 days) December 31, 2017

Most consecutive 450+ yards passing games: 2 (2019)

Most interceptions returned for touchdowns in a season: 7 (2019)

First player in NFL history to throw 30-or-more touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a season: (2019)

Fewest yards in a game with 5+ touchdowns: 148 (September 12, 2021, vs. Green Bay Packers)

Most passing touchdowns by a rookie – 22

Personal life

Winston married his wife, Breion Allen, in a private ceremony held at their home on March 27, 2020. They have two sons together.

Controversies

On November 14, 2013, the State Attorney of the Second Judicial Circuit announced they were opening an investigation into a sexual assault allegation involving Winston that was originally filed with the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) on December 7, 2012. The complaint was originally investigated by the police and classified as open/inactive in February 2013 with no charges being filed. The police report, containing the complainant's original statement, has been posted by the Tallahassee Police Department. Tallahassee police stated that the complaint was made inactive "when the victim in the case broke off contact with TPD, and her attorney indicated she did not want to move forward at that time" and then re-examined after media requests for information started coming in early November. On December 5, 2013, State Attorney Willie Meggs announced the completion of the investigation and that no charges would be filed against anyone in this case, citing "major issues" with the woman's testimony. Meggs stated that "As prosecutors, we only bring charges for cases where the evidence will result in a likely conviction at trial. In this case, the evidence does not show that." Allegations of improper police conduct have been made by both parties, with the complainant claiming to have been pressured into dropping her claim and Winston's attorney alleging inappropriate leaks to the media. Florida State's policy is that athletes charged with a felony cannot play until their case is resolved, but Winston continued to play throughout the investigation because he was never charged.

On April 16, 2014, The New York Times reported irregularities in the rape investigation involving Winston. The complainant developed bruises and semen was found on her underwear. 34 days later, the complainant identified Winston by name as her attacker. Tallahassee police contacted Winston about 13 days later. No DNA sample was taken from Winston until the prosecutor took over the case, months later; once it was taken in November 2013, it was found to match DNA found in the complainant's underwear. The investigation was conducted by Officer Scott Angulo, who, the Times' article notes, did private security work for the Seminole Boosters, the primary financier of Florida State athletics.

The official FSU hearing, presided over by retired Florida Supreme Court Justice Major B. Harding, on December 21, 2014, cleared Winston of violating the student conduct code in the sexual assault allegation. An extract from Harding's decision is below.

I do not find the credibility of one story substantially stronger than that of the other. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses. I cannot find with any confidence that the events as set forth by you, (accuser), or a particular combination thereof is more probable than not as required to find you responsible for a violation of the Code. Therein lies the determinative factor of my decision.