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TAMPA, Fla. – On his first return to training after a three-game suspension, Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston was asked how he could face Ryan Fitzpatrick.
"The most important thing is the success we have," said Winston. "I'm just happy to be back, man, I'm happy to be part of it, I do not look far, I can be here with my teammates."
Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter will not say whether Ryan Fitzpatrick or Jameis Winston will leave, even though the quarterbacks know his game plan for Sunday against the Bears.
Bucs 'safety Chris Conte, who was armed to the ground by 75-yard TD Steelers' Vance McDonald, was playing with a torn knee PCL.
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Coach Dirk Koetter has not formally appointed a starter for Week 4 against the Chicago Bears, but a shortened week, as well as the 2-1 Bucs' start against Fitzpatrick, has led some to believe they will continue with the caller signal aged at least one week.
Koetter said Tuesday that he was not divulging his starter even after meeting with Winston and Fitzpatrick and having informed them of the team's plan.
Winston actually told general manager Jason Licht before he left that he believed Fitzpatrick would excel. And he became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw 400 yards in three straight games.
"That's what I expected," Winston said. "Obviously, it's a difficult situation to say, but it's a win-win situation, baby. [We’re] here dangling loudly. [We’re] winner. The community is behind us. I'm happy, everyone is happy, you're happy. As long as we [are] happy, [we’re] good."
Winston was not allowed to practice in the team while he was suspended for violating the NFL's driving policy following an NFL investigation into charges that he had tried a Uber female pilot in March 2016 about 25 players. He watched the three games, sending congratulatory messages to the teammates.
"I think it's exciting, I'm at home – sometimes you do not want to hear people at home, so [you’ve] must arrive at a place by [yourself] because [you’re] all this – but it's exciting, "Winston said. We have a lot of success, and I want it to continue, and I know it.
"I'm back – nothing has changed – I'm just happy to be part of it – when we have a win I can go [the field] and dab the guys and celebrate with them. It's the part you miss – this team relationship – because you do it together. It's hard to go out and get victories.
"I saw a beard, when a guy throws 400 yards three games in a row, you have to like that, and as a community, we have to tackle that team, because when we win, when things go well, we have to capitalize on that, "said Winston.
Winston was in the building at 5:30 in the morning Tuesday, even before the usual departure time of 5:45. He had a training session and met with Koetter, who informed him as well as Fitzpatrick's plans for the team. The rest of the team had the day off, so Wednesday was the first time that he was seeing his teammates.
"Jameis loves football – it was really painful for him not to be in the building," said the guard. Ali Marpet, who greeted Winston with a big hug of bear. "We are very happy that he is back in. It is here that he is prospering."
Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy approached Winston in the locker room. The two smiled and hugged for a few seconds.
A few meters away, defensive end Vinny Curry said: "The circle is complete".
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