Jameis Winston Cements Himself In NFL History

Jameis Winston has had quite the impressive career up to this point. After throwing for 4,042 yards as a rookie, the second-most in Buccaneers history behind only Josh Freeman’s 4,065 in 2012 and the third-most by a rookie in NFL history, he has continued to show promise in his sophomore campaign.

It hasn’t always been pretty, but with his first touchdown completion to Cameron Brate Sunday vs. Chicago, Winston reached 40 in his young career. At 22 years and 312 days old, he is the youngest player in NFL history to reach 40 touchdowns.

That was Jameis Winston’s 40th career TD pass. He is the youngest player in NFL history to throw 40 touchdowns. ??? pic.twitter.com/eSJGkqmS4b

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) November 13, 2016

According to Pro Football Reference, he is just the third quarterback in NFL history to throw 40 combined touchdowns in his age 22 or younger seasons, joining for New England Patriot Drew Bledsoe (1993-94) and former Minnesota Viking Fran Tarkenton (1961-62).

He now has 41 career touchdowns, the ninth-most in league history through a player’s first two seasons. The full list of players he trails is below:

1. Dan Marino (Miami, 1983-84) – 68

2. Derek Carr (Oakland, 2014-15) – 53

3. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis, 1998-99) – 52

3. Russell Wilson (Seattle, 2012-13) – 52

5. Andy Dalton (Cincinnati, 2011-12) – 47

6. Blake Bortles (Jacksonville, 2014-15) – 46

6. Andrew Luck (Indianapolis, 2012-13) – 46

8. Ottoo Graham (Cleveland, 1946-47) – 42

Winston wound up finishing Sunday’s contest against Chicago by completing 23-of-33 pass attempts for 312 yards and two touchdowns. He now has 19 touchdown passes and 2,349 passing yards through nine games, both news Buccaneers records.

He also now has at least two touchdown passes in four consecutive contests, the longest streak by a Tampa Bay quarterback since Josh Freeman did so in six straight games in the 2012 season.