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Dirk Koetter won’t name Bucs starting QB until he meets with Jameis Winston, Ryan Fitzpatrick

Th Bucs head coach had planned to make the announcement at his Monday news conference, but all indications are he will go with Jameis Winston
 
Published Nov. 19, 2018|Updated Nov. 19, 2018

Bucs coach Dirk Koetter  knows who he wants to start at quarterback Sunday against the 49ers.

He just hasn't informed Jameis Winston or Ryan Fitzpatrick of his decision, and until he does, Koetter isn't saying.

"I want to start off by telling you I know I said I would talk about the quarterback thing today," Koetter said at the start of his news conference. "I have not had a chance to talk to those guys individually.

"Even though I know what we're going to do at quarterback, I'm not going to be able to say today because I would never tell the media before I told the quarterbacks themselves. Hope to get that done here this afternoon, but it just hasn't worked out so far."

Fitzpatrick was benched in the third quarter of Sunday's 38-35 loss against the New York Giants after throwing his third interception of the game. Winston, who had not played since he was pulled Oct. 28 at Cincinnati, led the Bucs to touchdowns on four consecutive drives in the second half.

If you include having to start Fitzpatrick in the season opener at New Orleans due to Winston's three-game suspension, this could be the fourth change since the start of the season. Fitzpatrick went 2-2, beating the Saints and Eagles before losing to the Steelers and Bears. He was replaced by Winston, who lost to the Falcons and beat the Browns before throwing four interceptions, including a pick-six, in a loss to the Bengals.

Winston certainly helped his cause by completing 12 of 16 for 199 yards with two touchdowns and an interception on the final play of the game for the Bucs.

"He played better. Yup," Koetter said. "You're asking me to put a statistical number on it. He played better.

"He got us in the end zone four straight times. For the most part, he made good decisions with the football.''