Why Jameis Winston Has Been Clevland’s Most Important Offseason Addition
Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns have been busy this offseason trying to get a team together that can win a wide-open AFC North in 2024. Bringing back ZaDarius Smith and signing Jordan Hicks should make the defense better, but there is a clear-cut top addition this offseason, quarterback Jameis Winston. He might not even step on the field during a regular season game in 2024, but that wouldn’t change how important of an addition it is, let’s break down why.
Browns Need Quarterback Depth
Deshaun Watson is still the guy under center, and as long as he’s healthy and not suspended, he will be starting, but both of those could be big ifs. Watson injured his shoulder during the 2023 season, and it required him to have surgery. Lucky for the Browns last year, the team was able to bring in Joe Flacco, who was able to keep the team afloat, until they were bounced in the Wild Card round by the Houston Texans. Watson has made it clear that he will be back for Week 1 of this season.
“I’ll be better than I was before in Week 1,” Watson told reporters. “I’m very confident in the roles of the doctors. Dr. [Neal] ElAttrache and his team, following their lead, just all the research that I’ve done. And then just my work and preparation. I’ve put my whole life into this, I want to make sure I come back even better than before.”
Even if he is ready to be back in Week 1, there has to be some concern about how he will be able to perform. It could take him a little while to settle in, and there is always concern about reinjury. If Watson does end up going down because of injury, or can’t start Week 1, the former Florida State Seminoles standout is the perfect player to save the team.
What Does Winston Bring the Team?
The Browns are building a talented team, just like last year, and should be back in the playoffs, as long as they get strong quarterback play. The last few offseasons there were thoughts that Winston might get a chance to be a starting quarterback again in the league, but he has continued to be a backup. During Winston’s career, he has made 80 career starts, throwing for 22,104 yards and 141 touchdowns. He is a typical gunslinger quarterback who is going to turn the ball over, but he’s never afraid to try and make the play. Even though the Browns have a talented roster, this isn’t a team that needs a game manager at quarterback, they need a game changer, something that Winston offers. Winston commented after signing with the Browns about his desire to still be a starter, but he clearly is coming to the Browns with the right mindset.
“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,” Winston said. “Having the opportunity to work with Deshaun 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.”
The turnovers have always been an issue for Winston, but when he’s under center his team moves the ball, there has been no denying that. In 2019 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers he threw for 5,109 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions. Amari Cooper and Jerry Juedy are both out wide for the Browns, and both will help make him better under center. He’s always going to take some chances, and probably turn the ball over at times, but this offense is perfect to fit his skillset.
If there were more off-the-field issues with Watson, and Winston did have to fill in for a longer stretch of games, this could be the perfect situation where Winston could be the starting quarterback in 2025. That is a situation that the team hopes won’t happen, but it’s a perfect example of why this has been the most important signing of the offseason.
The best case scenario for the Browns is still Watson stays healthy and can start the entire 2024 season, but especially with the issues surrounding their franchise quarterback, it’s important they have a backup plan. This isn’t a team that is talented enough to probably win many games with a bargain-bin backup quarterback, they needed to get a difference-maker. Winston is the perfect man for that role and gives Cleveland some much-needed insurance under center.
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