It would have been easy to understand if Jameis Winston had left New Orleans and shook the dust off his feet on the way out of town. But he chose to stay with the Saints for the 2023 season in a backup role even though he views himself as “a championship-caliber starting quarterback” in the NFL.

The former Hueytown High School won the job as the Saints’ starting quarterback in 2020 after Drew Brees retired. Winston had 14 touchdown passes and three interceptions with New Orleans at 5-2 when a knee injury ended his first season in that capacity.

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The Saints responded by trying to acquire unhappy Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. New Orleans lost that sweepstakes to the Cleveland Browns and re-signed Winston to a two-year, $28 million contract last offseason.

Injuries sent Winston off the field again in 2022, this time after three games. Back and ankle ailments kept Winston out of uniform for a couple of contests, but when he returned, he didn’t get his job back. The Saints stuck with Andy Dalton at quarterback all the way to the end of a 7-10 season, and Winston didn’t play after Sept. 25.

This offseason, New Orleans succeeded in its quarterback pursuit – signing Derek Carr after the Las Vegas Raiders released him. That came with an offer to Winston: Take less money to stay on the team in 2023 or be released.

Winston chose a fourth season with the Saints, and he has used his social-media accounts to explain why.

“First, I love this city,” Winston wrote. “In all of my professional career, I’ve never felt so culturally in tune with a fan base. The Saints fans that I’ve met have been incredible. Y’all have made me and my family feel at home. That is why last season was so disappointing to me. I want to see this team and city succeed. I know great things are ahead for this team and this city! I was led here by the spirit. That’s why I would never run away from this new challenge. The things that led me here are still here — a stable organization, a championship-caliber team and a great fan base. This year’s team, like last year’s team, is built to win a Super Bowl.

“Let there be no doubt, I am still a championship-caliber starting quarterback in this league. However, getting healthy and staying healthy is my No. 1 priority and I have suffered three devastating injuries over the last two years. I need to stay healthy to assist this team in getting to where we want to go. Most importantly, I need to stay healthy to get me where I want to go in my career! With that being said, I will serve and lead however I need to see this organization and city win! I am proud to say for one more year, at least, Who Dat!”

Originally scheduled to be paid $12.8 million for the 2023 season, Winston’s new deal guarantees him $4 million – a $2.835 signing bonus and a $1.165 base salary for the 2023 season.

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A two-time All-State selection at Hueytown, Winston was the Class 5A Back of the Year and a Parade and Under Armour All-American in 2011.

At Florida State, Winston won the Heisman Trophy in 2013, when the Seminoles won the BCS national championship with an undefeated record.

The No. 1 selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, Winston spent five seasons as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starting QB. But after Winston led the NFL with 5,109 passing yards and 30 interceptions, the Bucs switched to Tom Brady, and Winston wound up backing up Drew Brees with the Saints in 2020 before winning a competition with Taysom Hill for the starting spot in 2021 after Brees retired.

In 86 NFL regular-season games, Winston has completed 1,738-of-2,835 passes for 21,840 yards with 139 touchdowns and 96 interceptions and run for 1,220 yards and 11 touchdowns on 293 carries.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.