Here's Why Jameis Winston Should Sign With the Packers to Back up Aaron Rodgers

2020 hasn't been kind to Jameis Winston. Even after leading the NFL by throwing for over 5,000 yards last season, his improved vision via Lasik eye surgery allowed him to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers move on from him to signTom Brady with maximum clarity.

After the major move, reports indicated that Winston won't be in line for a starting job elsewhere, as there are no obvious openings available. However, that's not the end of the world, especially when considering that Teddy Bridgewater went from backup a year ago to $63 million starter for the Carolina Panthers.

All told, Winston should follow Bridgwater's path back to relevancy. And that journey should start with the Green Bay Packers.

ESPN's @tthasselbeck picked the Packers as the "best fit" for QB Jameis Winston.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) March 23, 2020

As mentioned earlier, Bridgewater spent the past two seasons understudying from Drew Brees as the New Orleans Saints' backup signal-caller only to go 5-1 as a starter when Brees fell injured. So, why not have Winston learn from one of the smartest minds in the game in Aaron Rodgers?

Yes, Rodgers had a strong 2019 campaign, helping to lead the Packers to the NFC Championship Game. But, Rodgers is no spring chicken, as he enters the 2020 season at the age of 36. In fact, Rodgers himself said he's on the back nine of his career, and that retirement is on the horizon -- not to mention that he has dealt with numerous injuries these past couple of seasons.

Tim Hasselbeck just said the #Packers would be an ideal situation for Jameis Winston on NFL Network. Learning behind Aaron Rodgers could be a perfect opportunity for him.
— Evan Massey (@massey_evan) March 23, 2020

When looking at the Packers' depth chart, they don't have a clear contingency plan in place in case Rodgers retires or gets seriously hurt. Current backups Tim Boyle and Manny Wilkins aren't the answer, period. Winston, meanwhile, could fit in perfectly if he's willing to bite the bullet and enter Week 1 as the QB2.

Despite his 30 interceptions last season, Winston has shown promise as a quarterback with his gunslinging abilities. He has the arm to succeed in today's NFL, and wasn't a former No. 1 overall pick by accident.

The Packers need to start planning for Aaron Rodger’s retirement and I think Jameis Winston would be a good fit. But w/ LASIK is it possible he might be the better quarterback this season?
— Jake (@jakerichter) March 21, 2020

Let's also not forget that Winston never really had a veteran quarterback to learn from since being drafted first overall by the Bucs in 2015. Instead, he was immediately thrust into the starter's role and never properly transitioned from college to the pros.

Five years later, Winston has the chance to learn from one of the best in the game and get his career back on track. If the parties can come to terms, this experiment could work.