The Cleveland Browns signed Jameis Winston in free agency, but in spite of Deshaun Watson’s struggles, it’s abundantly clear that the Browns brought in Winston to be Watson’s backup.
Winston understands this.
During his introductory press conference this week, Winston stressed the importance of developing a strong relationship with Watson and being a good teammate in general.
“The most important thing, I believe, is the relationship between me and Deshaun is in a place where it will continue to grow and flourish,” Winston said, via video from Cleveland.com. “And I just admire him as a person and definitely as a football player. I look forward to allowing him to lean on me for anything that he needs and also encouraging him and providing him with different resources that he probably hasn’t gotten for people that have been in the same room as him … just serving him and this team, the best way that I can.”
Watson is currently recovering from shoulder surgery and is fully expected to be ready for Week 1. He played in just six games this past season, throwing for 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 61.4 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 84.3.
There was some talk of a quarterback controversy when Joe Flacco stepped in and led the Browns to a 4-1 record in his five starts, guiding them to the playoffs. However, that chatter quickly ended when Flacco threw a pair of pick-sixes in a blowout Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans.
Flacco then signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
Not that there was ever any real chance that Watson wouldn’t be the opening day starter for Cleveland so long as he is healthy.
“One of the biggest things that I’m bringing to Deshaun is just really support and encouragement,” added Winston. “Because he has achieved so much, and that’s why he is this organization’s franchise quarterback. But as a lot of us know, we all make this ship go.”
Winston is a former No. 1 overall pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has started 80 games throughout his own career, so to hear him so willingly accept a backup role is refreshing.
If Deshaun Watson isn’t 100 percent or if he severely falters next season, the Browns are fortunate to have a very capable signal-caller in Jameis Winston on deck.
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