Browns comply with contract with QB Jameis Winston

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have agreed to a one-year contract with Jameis Winston to be their backup quarterback behind Deshaun Watson, he confirmed to CBS Sports activities.

Winston will exchange Joe Flacco because the No. 2 quarterback. Flacco signed with Cleveland halfway via final season after a season-ending shoulder harm to Watson. The previous Tremendous Bowl MVP went on to steer the Browns in 4 straight wins as they clinched their first playoff berth since 2020. Flacco led the NFL with 323 passing yards per recreation over his 5 begins with the Browns. However Cleveland fell within the first spherical of the postseason in Houston 45-14.

“Sure, I nonetheless envision myself as a starter. Nevertheless, the Lord has additionally known as me to steer by impacting and growing the boys who’re round me. Having the chance to work with Deshaun and assist him be the very best he can presumably be, is my primary mission,” he instructed CBS Sports activities. “Now, if Deshaun has to heal up for no matter cause, and I’ve to take a number of video games off of him, I’ll be prepared to try this; however I’ve to meet God’s function first earlier than my very own coronary heart’s need. As a result of in the end I need to win some Tremendous Bowls, and this roster that Cleveland bought, seems like they will do it.”

Winston has spent the previous 4 seasons as a backup quarterback in New Orleans, together with 10 begins. Earlier than that, the No. 1 decide within the 2015 draft out of Florida State began 5 seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his ultimate season in Tampa, he threw 33 touchdowns with 30 interceptions.

The Browns even have Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the roster. Thompson-Robinson began three video games final season as a rookie.

Additionally on Tuesday, the Browns agreed to a one-year deal value as much as $3.5 million with operating again Nyheim Hines, sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Hines, who missed the 2023 season after tearing the ACL in his left knee in a private watercraft accident, was launched by the Buffalo Payments final week.

Winston has been with the Saints for the reason that 2020 season, most lately as a backup to Derek Carr. He’s technically nonetheless beneath contract with the Saints on account of a restructure he agreed to in January for wage cap functions however will likely be launched as a formality.

Winston completed the offseason scheduled to grow to be an unrestricted free agent. Winston’s contract was initially set to mechanically void this Wednesday, the ultimate day of the 2023 league yr.

Nevertheless, he tweaked his contract Jan. 6, receiving a $100,000 signing bonus in alternate for pushing the void yr in his contract again to the final day of the 2025 league yr. This provides the Saints the pliability to launch him as a post-June 1 reduce and lower your expenses towards the 2024 wage cap.

Winston’s final full season as a beginning quarterback was in 2019 with the Buccaneers. He led the league in makes an attempt (626), yards (5,109) and interceptions (30) that season, ending with 33 touchdowns as nicely. The Buccaneers signed Tom Brady the subsequent offseason, and Winston signed with the Saints as a backup to Drew Brees.

Though Winston received the beginning function over Taysom Hill after Brees’ retirement, his 2021 season was reduce quick when he tore the ACL in his left knee seven video games into the season.

The Saints re-signed Winston as a starter in 2022 after making an attempt to accumulate Watson within the offseason. Winston performed solely three video games on account of again and foot accidents and was sat in Week 4 to relaxation his accidents, however he by no means regained his beginning function from Andy Dalton.

Winston returned to the Saints at a decreased wage final offseason to again up Carr. He ended the 2023 season with a controversial handoff to Saints operating again Jamaal Williams, who scored after Saints coach Dennis Allen instructed the workforce to kneel in a blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons.

ESPN’s Katherine Terrell contributed to this report.