Jameis Winston remains the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' presumptive starting quarterback, but coach Lovie Smith will make the No. 1 overall pick earn the gig.
On Thursday, Winston worked with the No. 2 offense while Mike Glennon lined up with the first string.
"Jameis and everybody else have to earn their position," Smith said, via the Tampa Bay Times. "Jameis is getting his first-team reps. You guys are here on Thursday, and Wednesday he was with the first group then. Don't look too much into that. We just want the guys we think can play to get reps, and we want them to work with a lot of different combinations.
"Jameis is right on schedule. We're not disappointed or anything like that in him."
The starting gig still remains Winston's to lose. The rookie understood the situation well enough.
"I was never given anything in my life, so the way I was brought up, I have to earn everything," Winston said. "The main thing is to earn the respect of all these players out here."
Consider Thursday's rotation as more of a subtle message from Smith to his quarterback, rather than an indication of deeper troubles.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast discusses offseason clichés and who are the NFL's most valuable non-QBs. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
