Browns Eye $19M QB, Former 1st-Rounder as Watson’s Replacement

Browns Eye $19M QB, Former 1st-Rounder as Watson’s Replacement

The Cleveland Browns are considering Jameis Winston as a potential replacement for Deshaun Watson, whose season ended with a torn Achilles tendon. ESPN’s Mina Kimes suggested Watson’s time as the starter may be over for good, regardless of his recovery. On a recent podcast, Kimes stated, “There’s no real benefit for the Browns from moving on from Watson, but there’s no reason for them to play him at this point. I think we can all safely say it’s over.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While Mina Kimes suggested that signing Jameis Winston to a mid-range contract might be the Browns’ best move for 2025, ESPN’s Dominique Foxworth had a different perspective. He pointed to the Pittsburgh Steelers as an example of a team that found success with unexpected quarterback opportunities. Foxworth mentioned the possibility of acquiring a player like Russell Wilson or even Justin Fields, combined with rookies, as a potential path for the Browns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Justin Fields started for three years in Chicago before being traded to Pittsburgh for a conditional sixth-round pick, as the Bears opted to move forward with Caleb Williams as their QB of the future. Fields impressed in six starts for the Steelers, posting a 4-2 record with 10 TDs and just 1 INT. However, Pittsburgh later replaced him with Russell Wilson as the primary starter, though Fields remains on the roster. Now in the final year of his $19 million rookie contract, Fields has a projected market value of $9.2 million annually on a new one-year deal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jameis Winston, on a one-year, $4 million deal, offers value with his ability to throw for 500 yards against tough defenses, as seen on Monday night. However, his interceptions, which directly led to two defensive touchdowns for the Broncos, highlight the risks of his playstyle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESPN’s Dominique Foxworth expressed hesitation about fully committing to Winston, preferring a quarterback with a lower ceiling but higher consistency. He suggested the Browns may need to get “lucky” and find a diamond in the rough, similar to Brock Purdy’s unexpected rise, to capitalize on their strong roster.