Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer expanded on why the Cleveland Browns replaced fan favorite backup quarterback Joe Flacco with Jameis Winston this offseason in an updated post published Monday morning.
“Many fans certainly would have started chanting for Flacco in games where [starting quarterback Deshaun Watson] struggled, especially early in the season,” Pluto said. “The Browns deny that’s why they didn’t pursue Flacco. However, it is possible that it was a factor. But the true reason is that the front office under [general manager Andrew Berry] has a lot of faith in Jameis Winston. They admire how he has turned his life around since 2018, following some off-field troubles. They like his strong arm and leadership ability.
Winston missed the first three games of the 2018 season due to a ban stemming from a groping allegation made by an Uber driver.
Watson has appeared in just 12 regular-season games since signing a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract to join the Browns from the Houston Texans in March 2022. He was suspended for 11 games in 2022 due to claims of sexual misbehavior during massage treatments, and a shoulder injury cost him more than half of the season.
Flacco, meanwhile, became a Cleveland savior during the 2023 season, going 4-1 as Watson’s interim replacement and leading the team to the playoffs. The 39-year-old eventually won the Comeback Player of the Year Award for the season, but the Browns reportedly did not offer him “the minimum NFL contract” this winter because they didn’t want Flacco “casting a shadow over Deshaun Watson and complicating his job next year.”
Flacco signed with the Indianapolis Colts in March. Meanwhile, the Browns may attempt to move on from Watson next summer.
“Fact is, if Watson doesn’t produce early in the season, the fans will want the backup to play — be it Winston or even third-stringer Tyler Huntley,” Pluto said.
As of late Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook gave the Browns +600 chances to win the AFC North division title this season. The Baltimore Ravens led the list with +115 odds, followed by the Cincinnati Bengals at +165.
If the Watson-led Browns finish third in the division standings in 2024, Berry and his coaching staff may face a difficult talk concerning their quarterback situation.
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