Nine-year veteran quarterback Jameis Winston signed a new contract with the Cleveland Browns. Winston, the former first-overall pick, spent the 2023 season with the New Orleans Saints but has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The #Browns are signing QB Jameis Winston and he is now set to be the backup to Deshaun Watson. It’s a 1-year deal, per @Schultz_Report.
That should also mean that Comeback Player of the Year QB Joe Flacco is unlikely to be back in Cleveland at this point and time. pic.twitter.com/U8z28DtaCu
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 12, 2024
Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns, Agree to Contract
Despite his draft pedigree, Jameis Winston spent the entire 2023 season on the bench. Appearing in seven games without making a start, the quarterback completed 27 of his 43 attempts for 264 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also was behind one of the more controversial moments of the season, calling for a last-second touchdown run to Jamaal Williams despite head coach Dennis Allen calling for the victory formation.
Jameis Winston originally entered the league as the first-overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Florida State product immediately earned a starting job. Starting all 16 games, the rookie finished his inaugural season completing 58.3% of his passes for 4,042 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
Winston remained the starter over the next three seasons, going 15-23 while completing 62.8% of his passes for 10,586 yards, 66 touchdowns, and 43 interceptions. Despite the decent numbers, Winston started to lose a hold on his job in 2018. With Winston serving a suspension to start the year, Ryan Fitzpatrick made a decent claim for the starting job. However, at the end of the day, Winston remained the primary quarterback while completing 64.6% of his passes for 2,992 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in nine starts.
Jameis Winston played out the final year of his rookie contract in a wild way. In his first year under head coach Bruce Arians, the quarterback completed 60.7% of his passes for a league-leading 5,109 yards, 33 touchdowns, and a staggering 30 interceptions.
Tampa Bay decided to move forward with Tom Brady, leaving Winston to sign with the New Orleans Saints. After spending 2020 on the bench, the first-overall pick replaced the retired Brees in 2022 but quickly suffered a season-ending injury. He entered the 2022 season as the starter as well, but quickly lost the job to Andy Dalton.
Main Photo: Stephen Lew – USA Today Sports
