At 7-5, the Buccaneers are tied for first place in the NFC South and making a push for their first postseason appearance since 2007. They are doing so behind a second-year quarterback who, at just 22 years old, is the second-youngest starting quarterback in the league. Despite being in his second year, Winston is still younger than talented rookies Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz.
As Winston gains experience, his teammates see him getting better and better each week. Wide receiver Vincent Jackson has been able to witness Winston's progress first-hand, though Jackson's season was cut short with an injury.
"You see a young guy just continue to thrive, continue to get more experience under his belt," wide receiver Vincent Jackson said on the NFL Network. "For the quarterback position I think that's huge. Each and every game that he has he's gaining confidence, he's gaining experience. You can see it – the way he's handling himself in the huddle, the way he's handling himself on the practice field. It's truly remarkable. He seems like an eight, ten-year vet already and again, this guy is just starting. He's very young so I'm happy to see him take control of this year, to be a great leader and I'm excited for him. He's going to have a great, great long career."
Should Winston continue the pace he's on, he will finish 2016 with 4,000 passing yards for the second season in a row and with more yards than any other quarterback in NFL history in their first two seasons.
Winston needs 205 yards per game to reach 4,000 on the season. He will begin the final quarter of the season against a Saints defense allowing the second-most passing yards of any team in the league.
