CLEVELAND — The Browns are close to having another Heisman Trophy-winning, No. 1 overall pick in their quarterback room, but this one isn’t called upon to lead the team to the Super Bowl.
The Browns on Tuesday got close to agreeing to terms with 2015 No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston on a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million as Deshaun Watson’s backup, a source confirmed. Jordan Schultz of the Schultz Report was first. Cleveland.com reported on Monday that the Browns were interested in signing Winston.
The Browns opted for him over Joe Flacco, who saved their season with a 4-1 record at the end of last season.
The last Heisman Trophy-winning No. 1 pick the Browns had at quarterback was Baker Mayfield, who signed a three-year, $100 million contract on Monday with the Bucs, where Winston spent the first five years of his career.
The signing is controversial for several reasons, including the fact the Browns planned to bring Flacco back if former Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett agreed with the Patriots and was no longer an option for the Browns. The Browns would’ve loved to have signed Brissett but didn’t want to pay him the $8 million he got from the Patriots, who might need him to start this season while they develop a rookie.
While the Browns were fully prepared to re-sign Flacco, Winston became an option, and the Browns liked the fact he was younger and a better fit for their scheme. Winston turned 30 on Jan. 6, and Flacco turned 39 on Jan. 16th.
Like Watson, Winston brings allegations of sexual misconduct for which he was suspended by the NFL. He missed the first three games of the 2018 season after the NFL conducted an investigation into a groping allegation by an Uber driver. Watson was suspended by the NFL for 11 games in 2022 for allegations of sexual misconduct involving more than two dozen massage therapists, most of whom settled out of court.
The Browns knew they would receive backlash from fans about the off-the-field issues, and took that into consideration.
Watson, coming off surgery to repair his fractured right shoulder socket, likes Winston a lot, which may have been a factor. The Browns want Watson to feel at home in the quarterback room, and he already has a relationship with Winston. It’s not that he doesn’t get along with Flacco. Watson was excited to work with the 17-year veteran if it turned out that way.
Last season, Winston backed up Derek Carr with the Saints, but still hopes to be an NFL starter. After spending the first five seasons of his career in Tampa, where he went 28-42, Winston was replaced by Tom Brady in 2020.
Winston signed a one-year contract with the Saints that year and backed up Drew Brees. In 2021, he went 5-2 under Sean Payton and rehabilitated his career, with 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, before getting injured in 2022.
“I played every role I could play within the organization,” he recently told the Saints News Network. “I’m always going to be an uplifting teammate and uplifting throughout the building. However, my heart truly desires to be starting and taking advantage of the gifts and talents that God has provided me. To be able to have this platform, to be able to build a relationship with the community, able to inspire young kids, and to uplift others. My main goal? I’m still chasing my dream.”
One league source said the Winston signing would make sense because he’s a great locker-room guy, has plenty of experience, and would be able to help Watson on and off the field. Another said Winston has matured a lot over the past couple of years since he’s gotten married and had a family, and will be a good influence.
At 6-foot-4, 231, Winston has size and arm strength similar to that of Flacco, who set a Browns record with four straight 300-yard games. In his nine seasons, Winston has gone 34-46 with 141 touchdowns and 99 interceptions. He’s completed 61.2% of his attempts and has a career passer rating of 87.0.
He got off to a great start as a rookie, throwing for 4,042 yards and replacing Brady in the Pro Bowl. He set Bucs rookie records that year in pass attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns.
Winston joins both Watson and second-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
