Browns staying with Jameis Winston as QB1 despite no playoffs

Field Level Media|published: Mon 9th December, 20:37 2024

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers

Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Browns have no mathematical chance to make the playoffs, but their focus remains on winning games rather than evaluating talent on the bench, according to coach Kevin Stefanski.

The Browns will keep Jameis Winston as the starting quarterback this week when they host the Kansas City Chiefs, Stefanski said Monday.

With Deshaun Watson lost for the season due to a ruptured right Achilles tendon, the alternative to Winston would be to start 2023 fifth-round draft pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who made three starts during his rookie campaign.

"Our focus right now is just trying to find ways to get a win," Stefanski said, throwing cold water on the idea that the Browns might give Thompson-Robinson late-season game reps.

The Browns (3-10) were 1-6 in Watson's seven starts and have beaten the division rival Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers since Winston took over. But they were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday when the Steelers got revenge in a 27-14 win over visiting Cleveland.

Winston, 30, has thrown for 1,975 yards with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions across 11 games (six starts) this season. Thompson-Robinson got into three games earlier this year and went 11-for-25 passing for 82 yards and two interceptions.

--Field Level Media