Writer expands on why Browns replaced Joe Flacco with Jameis Winston

For a piece updated on Monday morning, Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer expanded on why the Cleveland Browns replaced fan-favorite backup quarterback Joe Flacco with Jameis Winston this offseason. 

"Many fans certainly would have started chanting for Flacco in games where [starting quarterback Deshaun Watson] struggled, especially early in the season," Pluto explained. "The Browns deny that was the reason they didn’t pursue Flacco. That said, it might have been a factor. But the real reason is the [general manager Andrew Berry] front office has a lot of faith in Jameis Winston. They like how he’s turned his life around since 2018 after some off-field issues. They love his strong arm and his leadership abilities."

Specifically, Winston missed the first three games of the 2018 season while serving a suspension related to a groping allegation made by an Uber driver. 

As for Watson, he's played in just 12 regular-season contests since he signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract to join the Browns from the Houston Texans in March 2022. He served an 11-game suspension related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions during the 2022 campaign, and a shoulder injury cost him over half of this past season.

Flacco, meanwhile, became a Cleveland savior during the 2023 season when he went 4-1 as Watson's temporary replacement en route to guiding the club to a playoff berth. The 39-year-old ultimately won the Comeback Player of the Year Award for the campaign but reportedly wasn't offered "the minimum NFL contract" by the Browns this past winter because they didn't want Flacco "casting a shadow over Deshaun Watson and complicating his job next year." 

Flacco signed with the Indianapolis Colts in March. Meanwhile, the Browns could look to move on from Watson next offseason. 

"Fact is, if Watson doesn’t produce early in the season, the fans will want the backup to play — be it Winston or even third-stringer Tyler Huntley," Pluto added. 

As of late Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Browns at +600 odds to win the AFC North division title this coming season. The Baltimore Ravens topped the list at +115 odds, followed by the Cincinnati Bengals at +165. 

Berry and his coaching staff may have to have a difficult conversation about their quarterback situation if the Watson-led Browns finish the 2024 season third in the division standings.