The Cleveland Browns’ season has taken a harsh turn, with star quarterback Deshaun Watson suffering a season-ending Achilles’ tendon tear in last week’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Watson’s injury marks the third consecutive season he’s been limited to seven or fewer games with the Browns, leaving the team scrambling to find a solution at quarterback.
As the Browns look to turn the page, they’ve chosen Jameis Winston to start at quarterback in Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens. Winston, 30, boasts the most experience among the healthy quarterbacks on the Browns’ roster, having played in 72 games over his nine-year NFL career. Prior to joining the Browns on a one-year, $4 million deal in 2024, Winston spent four seasons with the New Orleans Saints and five with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he was drafted with the first overall pick in 2015.
Despite being primarily a backup in New Orleans, Winston did start 10 games, posting a 6-4 record. His opportunity to start may have arisen prematurely, thanks to an injury suffered by Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was initially brought in as Watson’s backup. The 25-year-old Thompson-Robinson injured a tendon in his throwing hand during the Week 7 loss, allowing Winston to take the reins.
While Winston’s appointment as the starter is only temporary, his performance in Week 8 could sway head coach Kevin Stefanski’s decision to stick with him for the remainder of the 2024 season. The Browns also added another quarterback to the mix on Tuesday, signing former New England Patriot Bailey Zappe to the active roster.
Winston’s return to starting form will be eagerly anticipated, as he looks to help turn the Browns around. It’s been a season marred by inconsistency, with the team currently sitting at 1-6 and on a five-game losing streak. With a first taste of local heroism on the horizon, can Winston inspire his teammates to snap out of their funk and steer the Browns towards a more hopeful trajectory? Only time will tell.
