The Cleveland Browns came to the realization that they needed a seasoned player to support quarterback Deshaun Watson in the most crucial position. According to Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport, the Browns and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston are almost certain to sign a contract.

According to reports, the deal could be worth up to $8.7 million, and it probably contains a number of incentives dependent on playing time. Entering his tenth season, Winston has played in the NFC South every time. Following five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he was selected with the first overall pick in the 2015 draft, he played as a backup for four seasons with the New Orleans Saints.

Joe Flacco, who led the Browns to the postseason in 2023 following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury, and Winston share certain parallels. Winston is a shot-taking passer with a high turnover rate. Winston completed 168 of his 276 pass attempts (60 percent) for 2,028 yards (202.8 yards per game), 18 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in his final 10 games, which fell between the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Winston is only thirty years old, even with the length of time he has spent in the league. At 6’4″ and 230 pounds, he is a large man with good mobility and a powerful arm.

Winston has experienced his fair share of legal run-ins. While attending Florida State in 2013, Winston was accused but never prosecuted of sexually abusing a woman named Erica Kinsman. In 2016, Florida State agreed to pay $950,000 to resolve Kinsman’s Title IX case.

In addition, Winston received a three-game suspension in 2018 for allegedly having inappropriate contact with an Uber driver in March of 2016.Later that year, the Uber driver and Winston reached a settlement deal after the driver filed a lawsuit.

Winston persevered in spite of them and has avoided making news for the wrong reasons ever since. Winston has cultivated a favorable image as a helpful presence in the locker room. He is well-liked by teammates and is capable of filling in as a spot starter when necessary for a club. The Browns sought to address Deshaun Watson’s injuries, given his history of them.

Announcing his plans for the 2023 season, General Manager Andrew Berry stated in a press conference that he intended to start three quarterbacks. The Browns are very well set at quarterback with the addition of Winston in addition to Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who is in his second year. These are their three active roster quarterbacks for 2024, barring an injury. They may try to add a camp arm at some point and probably add someone to the practice squad.