The Cleveland Browns have made a few different additions to their offense already in free agency. Arguably the biggest and most surprising was that they agreed with free agent quarterback Jameis Winston.
Winston’s arrival likely means the end of Joe Flacco’s tenure in Cleveland. When the Browns needed a quarterback most during the 2023 season because of injuries, he stepped up and helped keep the team afloat.
He was hopeful that he would be given a chance to come back to the team, but they have opted to go in a different direction with Winson. The No. 1 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft had spent the last four seasons with the New Orleans Saints after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he was replaced by Tom Brady.
With the Saints, Winston was expected to take over for Drew Brees. In his first chance at being a starter again, things were going well. The team got off to a 5-2 start, but when playing against his former team, Winston suffered a season-ending knee injury.
He put the work in to recover and be ready for the start of the 2022 season, but injuries befelled him again. The starting job was turned over to Andy Dalton, as Winston didn’t get it back even when he was healthy.
In the 2023 season, he was a backup once again, this time to Derek Carr. Hitting the open market this year, Winston took another backup job, this time behind Deshaun Watson in Cleveland.
While some people would question why he wouldn’t go to a team that he has the opportunity to start, Winston is following the path set forth for him by a higher power. When talking to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, he opened up about his decision to join the Brown.
“Yes, I still envision myself as a starter, however the Lord has also called me to lead by impacting and increasing the men who are around me. Having the opportunity to work with Deshaun (Watson) and help him be the best he can possibly be, is my main mission. Now, if Deshaun has to heal up for whatever reason, and I have to take a few games off of him, I’m going to be ready to do that; but I have to fulfill God’s purpose first before my own heart’s desire. Because ultimately I desire to win some Super Bowls, and this roster that Cleveland got, looks like they can do it,” Winston said to Anderson during a phone call.
Watson struggled to stay healthy during the 2023 season, his first full campaign with the Browns. He suffered multiple injuries along the way and finding a reliable backup option was imperative for the franchise this offseason.
Winston has shown that he is capable of putting up some big numbers with his gunslinger mindset. Turnover-prone early in his career, Winston looked to figure things out during his time learning from Brees and Sean Payton. Should the Browns have to turn to him to start games in 2024, they would be able to stay afloat.
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