Key Takeaways:
– The Cleveland Browns have chosen not to bring back Joe Flacco, opting instead for Jameis Winston.
– Winston, former No. 1 overall pick, is backing up Deshaun Watson with a deal worth up to $8.7 million.
– The move away from Flacco after his impressive last season has stirred controversy amidst fans and insiders.
– Speculations arise that the Browns are protecting Deshaun Watson from unnecessary controversy by not rehiring Flacco.
(Source: [Heavy.com](https://heavy.com/sports/cleveland-browns/final-call-joe-flacco-jameis-winston/))
In a recent quick turn of events, the Cleveland Browns have decided not to reintroduce Joe Flacco after his remarkable run last season, filling in for Deshaun Watson. Instead, the Browns have secured a deal with former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston, who’s now set to back up Watson.
Browns Opt for Winston Over Flacco
The contract between the Browns and Winston amounts up to $8.7 million, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. This decision comes as a surprise as Flacco seemed set to return to Cleveland, not least after the first wave of quarterback transfers. The switch to Winston came once the Browns’ interest in him became apparent. Ultimately, they preferred the younger option, as he better complements Watson’s skills.
Various insiders justified Winston’s signing by arguing his beneficial nature on and off the field. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com quoted a league source on Tuesday, March 12, saying “Winston is a great locker room guy, with plenty of experience and would be able to help Watson both on and off the field”. According to another source, Winston matured significantly since starting a family and will exhude positive influences.
In his career thus far, Winston passed for 22,104 yards, scored 141 touchdowns, and gave 99 interceptions. Although his record as a starter is 34-46, he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2015, just year after being the No. 1 overall draft pick. He spent the four most recent seasons chiefly playing backup with the Saints.
Browns Face Controversy for Passing on Flacco
The switch from Flacco to Winston hasn’t gone unnoticed. Veteran Browns insider, Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland, expressed shock over the decision to sideline Flacco, particularly given his successful 4-1 run in the previous season and expressed interest in a Cleveland reunion. Grossi puzzled over the reasons, dismissing possibilities related to interceptions, youth, and win-loss records as unsatisfactory rationales.
However, some speculate that the Browns might be protecting their primary quarterback, Deshaun Watson, by not bringing back Flacco. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suggested that Browns management would want to avoid the fans’ potential call for ‘Flacco’ anytime Watson threw an incomplete pass. Thus, sidestepping the controversy seemed a safer choice for the team.
No doubt, Winston’s appointment has implications for the team’s dynamics. It remains to be seen if his on and off-field presence will fit better with Watson to drive the Browns to an even more successful season the upcoming year. Fans, insiders, and the global-football enthusiast community watch with baited breath as the Browns chart their new course.