BREAKING: Free agent QB Jameis Winston is close to finalizing a 1-year deal worth up to $8.7M with the #Browns, sources tell @BleacherReport.
Winston fielded interest from multiple teams and decided this morning that he’s going to Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/h7wReAN66T
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 12, 2024
Jameis Winston is closing in on a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, which would shut the door on his time with the New Orleans Saints. Winston had previously said he hoped to find a team where he could compete for a starting job, but instead he’ll be backing up Deshaun Watson if this deal goes through.
It makes sense when you look at the money: a maximum value of $8.7 million, Schultz says, which is more than twice what Winston received from the Saints last year. Fine money for a backup, and he had his choice of options after other teams expressed interest in his services.
And this might be a better opportunity than it first appears. Watson missed most of the 2023 season recovering from an injured throwing shoulder, and if durability continues to be a problem for him then Winston could get on the field for Cleveland in 2024.
Of course we aren’t crossing the finish line just yet. Deals may be agreed to right now but they can’t be signed until after Wednesday’s 3 p.m. CT deadline. The Jacksonville Jaguars learned that the hard way when former Saints kicker Wil Lutz backed out of an agreement to stay with the Denver Broncos. But it sure looks like Winston will be out of New Orleans very soon.
