Quarterback Controversy In Tampa? Buccaneers Choosing Ryan Fitzpatrick Over Jameis Winston In Week 4

A quarterback controversy may be brewing in Tampa ahead of Week 4. The Buccaneers, who have declined to announce who will be Sunday's starter, will start Ryan Fitzpatrick against the Chicago Bears despite Jameis Winston returning from suspension, according to ESPN's NFL insider Adam Schefter.

ESPN also reports that the Bucs will then reevaluate the starting quarterback role after their bye week in Week 5. Tampa Bay has a road test against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6.

A strong showing by Fitzpatrick on Sunday could mean head coach Dirk Koetter decides to keep the 11-year veteran as the starter. The 35-year-old is third in the league in passer rating (124.8) and the Bucs are 2-1 in the competitive NFC South. Fitzpatrick has thrown for over 400 yards in all three games.

Tampa Bay has defeated strong competition under Fitzpatrick. They have a road win over the New Orleans Saints in the season opener and a home victory over the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.

The lone defeat was a tight battle on Monday with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, Fitzpatrick looked shaky at times against Pittsburgh and NFL insider Ian Rapoport said that Fitzpatrick was nearly pulled for third-string quarterback Ryan Griffin.

"I have all the respect in the world for Coach Koetter, and I think every decision he makes is best on what's best for the team," Fitzpatrick told reporters amid Winston's return to the team. "And so, for him, he's open. He's honest. I respect him.

"I think he respects me. He respects the guys on the team, and he has all of our respect. So as long as you have those qualities, and we know he has the team first in his mind, it's not hard to be a team player."

Winston's returned to the team on Tuesday and has stated that he is excited and grateful to be back.

"The most important thing is the success we're having. I'm back," Winston told reporters Wednesday. "I'm more excited about that right now.

"I'm here to assist the best way I possibly can. You know, my passion for this team, my love for this team, goes beyond whether I'm out there throwing the football for this team or not. Like I said, it's my first day back. Let me enjoy that before I have to start answering any more questions about that."

Winston, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft, sat out the first three games for violating the league's personal conduct policy following accusations he groped a female Uber driver in March 2016.

The 24-year-old started all 16 games in 2015 and 2016 and 13 games in 2017. He finished 14th in passer rating (92.2) in 2017.