MARCH 12: In addition to the Browns, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports the Titans and Giants have shown “preliminary interest” in Winston. Tennessee has Will Levis in place as the quarterback of the present and future, but adding an experienced option capable of starting or providing high-end insurance would be a logical move. Malik Willis holds the QB2 spot for now, but the Levis selection last spring has limited his ability to compete for a starting role in Nashville.
The Giants, meanwhile, saw Tyrod Taylor agree to a deal with the Jets yesterday. Linked to drafting a Daniel Jones successor this April, New York will at least need a veteran backup if Jones is unable to start the 2024 season on time as recovers from a torn ACL. Winston would fit the bill, and likely not at an especially high price tag.
MARCH 11: The Browns are hoping for a healthy season from Deshaun Watson in 2024, but that won’t stop the front office from pursuing a top-end backup. While the team navigates Joe Flacco‘s free agency, the Browns are eyeing another notable quarterback. According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, the Browns are interested in Jameis Winston as a backup QB.
[RELATED: Saints’ Jameis Winston Eyeing Starting Role]
Winston has been in New Orleans since 2020, and despite several changes atop the depth chart, he’s continued to serve as a fill-in at quarterback. As a result, the former first-overall pick was reportedly seeking a starting gig as he weighs free agent offers this time around. The 30-year-old has not played a full season as a starter since 2019, the year of his infamous 33-touchdown, 30-interception campaign with the Buccaneers
Of course, finding a QB1 job would be easier said than done, as few teams would simply hand the reins to Winston. For what it’s worth, the veteran has looked good as a backup in New Orleans. The Saints have gone 6-4 in Winston’s 10 starts with the organization, and the QB has tossed 20 touchdowns vs. 11 interceptions in his 21 games with New Orleans. He didn’t get a chance to start while serving as Derek Carr‘s back in 2023, with Winston completing only 25 of his 47 pass attempts while tossing two TDs and three interceptions.
The Browns lucked out with their backup plan in 2023. Flacco guided the Browns to a 4-1 record in his five starts, with the former Super Bowl winner finding the fountain of youth while tossing 13 touchdowns, his highest total since 2017. The veteran QB is reportedly looking to stick in Cleveland for the 2024 campaign, and the free agent confirmed that sentiment during a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“I can tell you that, all things equal, Cleveland is definitely the place where I’d feel best about,” Flacco said (via Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com). “Now, then you have to get into the world of, is someone actually going to give me a chance to play? And all the different things that go into that.
“But I can’t help but have a special feeling about Cleveland, just because of the few weeks that I spent there and how great the city was. And, listen, at the end of the day, I don’t necessarily want that to be a huge part [or] all of the decision. But I do think it will factor into the decision — if I end up having a decision to make.”
They are also interested in Darren Sharper.
As a Steelers fan I say…yes please!
As a Steelers fan, you should say “YES!!!!!!!!” As a Browns fan, I say, “God, please, please, PLEASE NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
I’m sure Winston would find it refreshing to not lead his QB room in sexual misconduct allegations.
What…? This post has been up an hour and no crab legs comments? What in tarnation!
Are the Browns side eyeing him?
Or are they giving him the stink eye. Just how are they eying him?
These things matter.
I wouldn’t give him a second glance.
Not sure how I would feel about the browns eye.
(Yes we all know the 30/30 season was bad, that will always follow him)
However, CLE has made worse choices at QB in recent years lol.
The last time Jameis was a starter he actually did very well until his injury.
If Flacco isn’t going to resign I think Winston can prove to be a viable backup. If not Flacco or Winston who is left Jimmy G? no way in hell
Thanks for reading, its just my opinion.
Rex Grossman would’ve done a 30/30 season in his sleep. What will follow Winston is scoring a TD from victory formation.
Yeah right that was nothing, I already forgot about that until you just brought it up lol.
The Browns making a lot of QB tweaks for a team that was suppose to be setup for the long term with Watson.
It’s called having a veteran backup. Right now they don’t have one. The Jets would have made the playoffs last season if they had a viable backup and Cleveland probably wouldn’t have made the playoffs without Flacco