Jameis Winston to remain with Saints on restructured contract

Derek Carr may be the new starting quarterback in New Orleans but the Saints will have one of their former starters as his backup.

Jameis Winston is finalizing a deal to remain with the Saints, first reported Josina Anderson of CBS Sports. The one-year deal worth up to $8 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.

It's a 1-year deal for Jameis Winston worth up to $8M, source said. With no starting opportunities, Winston sticks with what's familiar. https://t.co/0fWhN2QPJb

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2023

The Saints reportedly made an offer last week for Winston to take a restructure deal and paycut or be released. The former Heisman Trophy winner’s contract was set to earn him $12.8 million this season.

After signing with New Orleans and starting the first seven games of the 2021 season before suffering a serious knee injury, Winston started the first three games last year before the Saints replaced him with Andy Dalton.

As for Dalton, the free agent now appears set to sign with the fifth team of his career with Winston’s move to remain in the Crescent City.

Meanwhile, three more Saints veterans – Alvin Kamara, Marshon Lattimore and Cam Jordan – agreed to restructured contracts to help the Saints get below the NFL’s salary cap.