NFL

Jameis Winston pushes SUV uphill in NFL free-agency desperation

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Social Links for Samantha Previte
Published March 23, 2020
Updated March 23, 2020, 2:49 p.m. ET

After losing his job to 42-year-old Tom Brady, free agent Jameis Winston is determined to prove he still has what it takes to be a NFL quarterback.

In a clip posted to his Instagram story, the former No. 1 overall pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pushes an SUV uphill from a dead stop through a suburban neighborhood for a duration of about 28 seconds with roughly the same ease a normal person would push a toilet paper-filled shopping cart through Costco.

The vehicle pictured is a 2020 Ford Expedition according to TMZ, and weighs nearly three tons.

To top off the impressive feat, Winston jogs off into the distance at the end of the video as if nothing happened.

The 26-year-old Florida State product led the league with 5,109 passing yards in 2019, while becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw at least 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions (25 of which were with a clean pocket).

Over five seasons, Winston has accrued 19,737 passing yards, a 61.3 completion percentage, 121 touchdowns and 88 interceptions.

The Buccaneers reportedly made no effort to have the former Heisman Trophy-winner return for a sixth season.

Free agent Jameis Winston pushes a SUV uphill in video.
Free agent Jameis Winston pushes a SUV uphill in video.Getty Images / TMZ

Ahead of free agency, the Titans (re-signed Ryan Tannehill), Raiders (signed Marcus Mariota to back up Derek Carr), Colts (signed Philip Rivers), Panthers (signed Teddy Bridgewater), Bears (traded for Nick Foles), Buccaneers (signed Brady), Chargers, Patriots, Dolphins and Bengals were all in the market for quarterbacks. Winston finds himself in a precarious predicament now that the pool of interested parties has been culled significantly, leaving just the Chargers and perhaps the Dolphins as potential 2020 landing spots.

The Patriots are reportedly “unlikely” to target in Winston. The Chargers have Tyrod Taylor listed as their starter, though they could still sign someone or trade up in the draft. The Bengals and Dolphins are both expected to draft quarterbacks in next month’s draft.

Still, Winston remains optimistic he will not only find a new team, but a team that will make a Super Bowl run in 2021.

“It’s been a great 5 seasons as a Buccaneer,” Winston tweeted on Saturday. “All love and respect, I love Tampa and I look forward to seeing y’all again in February. #SBLV #2020Vision #Dreamforever”

He hopes to earn $30 million as a free agent.