May 6, 2022; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Deean (R) and defensive back Josh Jobe (L) talk with defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon (M) during Rookie Minicamp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns Sign Jameis Winston As New Backup Quarterback
At the start of last season Cleveland Browns officials were comfortable with their two backup quarterbacks behind Deshaun Watson: Dorian Thompson-Robinson and P.J. Walker, neither of whom had much of a track record in the NFL. Thompson-Robinson was a rookie. Walker had started seven games for the Carolina Panthers from 2020-23, during which he threw five touchdown passes, 11 interceptions, and was sacked 18 times in seven games.
Resume-wise, that seemed like a rather light quarterback room for a team like the Browns, who saw themselves as Super Bowl contenders. Most contending teams prefer experienced veterans as their backup quarterbacks. Watson had not quarterbacked a team for a full season since 2020, and his backups in Cleveland were not exactly overflowing with experience.
When Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Cleveland’s ninth game of the season, the Browns’ decision, at the start of the season, to not sign an experienced backup quarterback came back to haunt them.
It led to Cleveland using five different starting quarterbacks in the 2023 season. Remarkably, two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski was still able to get the Browns into the playoffs, but it was a very brief appearance as they were routed 45-14 by Houston in the wildcard game.
That experience may have been the impetus for the Browns acting quickly in restocking their quarterback room for 2024. They have signed free agent Jameis Winston, and added Tyler Huntley to their practice squad.
