Only a team that has struggled with quarterback issues for nearly two decades could get a record-breaking 497-yard, four-touchdown, jaw-dropping performance from Jameis Winston on Monday night — and still lose.
A history of disappointment wrapped in one night. Only the Browns.
Winston wasted his impressive performance in Denver’s thin air by throwing two pick-sixes — the second one with 1:48 left in the game — as the Broncos took advantage of big plays to secure a 41-32 victory over the Browns (3-9). Now, the Browns have to wonder what might have happened this season if Deshaun Watson had been benched before he got injured.
The loss ended any hope the Browns had of making a late playoff push, like they did last year. It also marked their 22nd losing season since the team was reborn in 1999.
In his fifth start of the season, Winston gave more proof that the Browns made a big mistake by not changing quarterbacks earlier, before Watson ruptured his Achilles tendon on October 20 against Cincinnati.
Cleveland’s offense has improved with Winston, who has thrown for over 300 yards three times — something Watson didn’t do in 19 starts over his three injury-plagued, suspension-shortened seasons with the Browns.
While there were some positive moments, Winston’s turnovers were too costly.
“You’re not going to play perfect at the quarterback position. He knows that,” coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday during a Zoom call. “I know that. Ultimately, he wants to do anything in his power to help this team win, and that’s going to be taking care of the ball. But he also had moments where he was moving that offense and did a nice job.”
Winston might not be the long-term solution for the Browns, but he’s showing that he could at least be a viable option for 2025 while the team deals with the complicated Watson situation, which continues to hold a tight grip on the franchise.
Most likely, and assuming he fully recovers, Watson will return next season in some role with the Browns, who still owe him $92 million of his fully guaranteed $230 million contract over the next two years.
Releasing Watson would hurt the salary cap, and while it would be a tough financial decision for owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, it could be the Browns’ safest and easiest way out.
If the Browns need proof that such a move can work, they only have to look at the Broncos, who moved on from QB Russell Wilson’s huge contract by cutting him, taking the financial hit, and drafting Bo Nix.
After some early struggles, Nix has settled in, and the rookie has the Broncos in the mix for a playoff spot.
Not long ago, the Browns thought their quarterback problems were behind them.
Instead, they still lie ahead.
