BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have agreed to a one-year contract with Jameis Winston to be their backup quarterback behind Deshaun Watson, they confirmed to CBS Sports.
Winston will replace Joe Flacco as the No. 2 quarterback. Flacco signed with Cleveland midway through last season after a season-ending shoulder injury to Watson. The former Super Bowl MVP led the Browns to four straight victories as they earned their first playoff berth since 2020. Flacco led the NFL with 323 passing yards per game during his five starts with the Browns. But Cleveland fell in the first round of the postseason to Houston 45-14.
“Yes, I still envision myself as a starter. However, the Lord has also called me to lead by impacting and elevating the men around me. Having the opportunity to work with Deshaun and help him be the best he can be is my mission major”, told CBS Sports. “Now, if Deshaun has to heal for whatever reason, and I have to take some games away from him, I will be ready to do it; but first I have to fulfill God's purpose before my heart's desire. Because ultimately I want to win some Super Bowls , and this roster that Cleveland got looks like it can do it.”
Winston has spent the last four seasons as a backup quarterback in New Orleans, including 10 as a starter. Before that, the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft out of Florida State started five seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his final season in Tampa, he threw 33 touchdowns with 30 interceptions.
The Browns also have Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the roster. Thompson-Robinson started three games last season as a rookie.
Also Tuesday, the Browns agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $3.5 million with running back Nyheim Hines, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Hines, who missed the 2023 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a jet ski accident, was released by the Buffalo Bills last week.
Winston has been with the Saints since the 2020 season, most recently as Derek Carr's backup. He is technically still under contract with the Saints due to a restructure he agreed to in January for salary cap reasons, but he will be released as a formality.
Winston finished the scheduled offseason to become an unrestricted free agent. Initially, Winston's contract was scheduled to automatically void this Wednesday, the last day of the 2023 league year.
However, he amended his contract on January 6 and received a $100,000 signing bonus in exchange for delaying the void year on his contract until the last day of the 2025 league year. This gives the Saints the flexibility to release him as post-June 1 cut and save money against the 2024 salary cap.
Winston's last full season as a starting quarterback was in 2019 with the Buccaneers. He led the league in attempts (626), yards (5,109) and interceptions (30) that season, also finishing with 33 touchdowns. The Buccaneers signed Tom Brady the following offseason and Winston signed with the Saints as Drew Brees' backup.
Although Winston won the starting job over Taysom Hill after Brees retired, his 2021 season was cut short when he tore the ACL in his left knee seven games into the season.
The Saints re-signed Winston as a starter in 2022 after trying to acquire Watson in the offseason. Winston played in only three games due to back and foot injuries and sat out Week 4 to rest his injuries, but never regained his starting role from Andy Dalton.
Winston returned to the Saints on a reduced salary last offseason to back up Carr. He finished the 2023 season with a controversial trade for Saints running back Jamaal Williams, who scored after Saints coach Dennis Allen told him told the team to take a knee in a blowout victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
ESPN's Katherine Terrell contributed to this report.
