What was their choice? Let him play for $16mm or whatever in 2020, then cut bait or let him be a free agent if they do not feel he is the answer?
If they did think he was the answer the cost goes up every year as it is not elite money he got, it is what QB's get in their second contracts get.
Instead of $110MM guaranteed, and $33.5 MM added for four years, it could be $125MM guaranteed and $36MM a year. Inflation.
If they did think he was not worth it, they cut bait and start over.
Both are risky and I am not commenting on his talent, I just don't think they wanted to take that chance and not sign him and pay a lot more later. They thought he was the answer and signed him a year early to save money/secure his future in terms of there is no doubt he is the franchise QB.
I do not know if he was "worth it", we have to see, but they did not have a lot of choices...
Look at where TB and DAL are. They are not sure and have not paid and the costs goes up as does the doubt and relationship of the QB and the team. Maybe it works out that TB cuts bait on Winston. Maybe DAL regrets not paying Prescott last year and the costs go up. It is a tough call.
Not arguing, just my opinion..