Well, at least it was fun while it lasted.
In most ways, what just happened when Jameis Winston became the starting quarterback of the Browns was as predictable as winter snow games in Cleveland. We knew Winston would energize the offense, and we also knew he would throw plenty of touchdown passes.
The turnovers were just as predictable, but it was still remarkable to see the way they piled up. Winston is one of the most unique quarterbacks in the NFL, and in many ways he’s the biggest waste of natural talent at the position right now. His inevitable decline has put Cleveland back in quarterback purgatory, especially given the depressing news that Deshaun Watson will return next year.
Jameis Winston by the numbers, good and bad
This particular version of the Jameis Winston experience peaked early. In his first big numbers game, he lit up the Baltimore Ravens for over 300 yards, with three touchdown passes to go with them. Even remarkably, Winston managed to play a clean game as a passer, although he did lose a fumble in that one.
More typical Winston chaos quickly followed. He got picked three times against the Chargers, but Jameis wasn’t done—in fact, he was just getting started. Yardage-wise, he’d found his groove, and a series of electric performances followed.
Then the pick monster came calling. Once again, the results were predictable, and they peaked in yet another three-interception game against Denver in which Winston also threw for four touchdowns and almost 500 passing yards.
The pick numbers for the last three games are truly remarkable. Jameis Winston was intercepted eight times, and it was obvious in yesterday’s game against Kansas City that his decision making had eroded so completely that no one had any idea which team was going to get the ball nearly every time he dropped back to pass.
The Cleveland Browns and Jameis Winston going forward
Jameis Winston will be a free agent this offseason, and the betting odds are that he’ll be someone’s well-paid backup. Don’t eliminate the possibility that someone takes a flyer on him as a starter again, though. There’s always some team or coach desperate enough to fall for the Jameis Winston rope-a-dope routine, but if that happens everyone involved should lay in a big supply of antacid.
When the festival of turnovers starts again, rest assured that Jameis will say all the right things. He’ll appeal to God, say it’s his fault, then go back on the field and keep the interceptions and fumbles coming. There may be a season of Jameis Magic where he finds the same kind of groove that Ryan Fitzpatrick hit back when he was playing this role, but there’s absolutely no hard evidence that will happen.
Say a holiday prayer for Browns fans
As for the Browns, their future is decidedly more depressing. The return of Deshaun Watson means Cleveland will feel obligated to play him again, likely with the same results. The Browns already know that Dorian Thompson-Robinson can’t play, so expect a revolving door of retreads if Cleveland does decide not to opt in on yet another version of the Jameis Winston experience.
For Browns fans who dream about drafting Watson’s eventual replacement, this is strictly a pipedream. Cleveland is currently slated to pick seventh in the draft, when the slim quarterback pickings in this particular draft will be long gone.
A trade might be plausible in a perfect world, especially given the Browns talent on defense. But no one gives up a top-tier talent at quarterback for anything short of a draft heist, and Cleveland has already gone down that road with Watson. And given Watson’s current situation, it’s a fairly short fall from quarterback purgatory to the Dante-esque next rung down the ladder.