The Cleveland Browns learnt from their error last season and hired a backup quarterback as one of their first moves in free agency. Jameis Winston, a former first-round choice who spent the last four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, is joining Cleveland as Deshaun Watson’s backup.
After starting five different quarterbacks last season and almost wrecking their 2023 season before finding Joe Flacco, the Browns now have an elite backup in Winston.
This move not only marks the end of the Flacco era in Cleveland, but it also puts second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the hot seat.
The Browns would not have paid for a seasoned quarterback if they believed Thompson-Robinson was ready to step up next season.
The UCLA product was chosen Watson’s backup last offseason after outperforming Kellen Mond and Joshua Dobbs in the preseason.
However, the regular season didn’t proceed as planned. With Watson’s shoulder injury midway through the season, he was thrust into the spotlight, recording four interceptions and zero touchdowns in his first two games before being replaced by Flacco.
Thompson-Robinson still deserves an opportunity, and given Watson’s injury history, he may get one in Cleveland, but it appears that he will have to wait a bit longer before earning the trust of the Browns’ decision-makers.
The Browns have some work to do this offseason to get back into contention. They are presently at +550 odds to win the AFC North, trailing the Ravens and Bengals. Go to FanDuel Sportsbook right now to collect your sign-up bonus to support the Browns.
Leave a Reply