Conflicting reports on Browns' Jameis Winston, Joe Flacco decision emerge

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote for a piece published on Tuesday that individuals within the Browns simply liked that Winston is "younger and a better fit for their scheme." Flacco turned 39 years old in January, while Winston turned 30 that same month. 

Back in February, Zac Jackson of The Athletic predicted that Flacco wouldn't return to the Browns because his "popularity in the locker room and success in the season’s final month" could make things awkward for Watson in multiple ways. Watson was recovering from a season-ending shoulder injury when Flacco became a Cleveland sports savior who went 4-1 as a starter to guide the 2023 Browns to a playoff berth, but that's only part of the story. 

Pockets of Browns fans still haven't embraced Watson due to the numerous allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions that resulted in the 28-year-old serving an 11-game suspension during the 2022 season. It's also worth noting Watson didn't look like a three-time Pro Bowl selection across the bulk of his first 12 Cleveland starts. 

In total, Watson has completed 204-of-341 pass attempts (59.8%) for 2,217 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions as a Browns signal-caller. His inconsistent play and latest physical setback have some members of the NFL community believing that Cleveland could consider escaping the fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract that he signed in March 2022 as soon as next offseason. 

"Like Watson, Winston brings allegations of sexual misconduct for which he was suspended by the NFL," Cabot added. "He missed the first three games of the 2018 season after the NFL conducted an investigation into a groping allegation by an Uber driver. Watson was suspended by the NFL for 11 games in 2022 for allegations of sexual misconduct involving more than two dozen massage therapists, most of whom settled out of court. The Browns knew they would receive backlash from fans about the off-the-field issues, and took that into consideration."

Flacco wants to start following his Comeback Player of the Year performances but also publicly suggested last week he'd happily stay with the Browns as Watson's backup. Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry went in a different direction and eventually will have to explain why he passed on keeping a fan-favorite who seemingly wasn't going to receive a QB1 opportunity elsewhere anytime soon.