The Cleveland Browns have been eliminated from the playoffs and a winning season, but head coach Kevin Stefanski is sticking with Jameis Winston as his starting quarterback
James Winston will remain the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns
James Winston will remain the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns (
Image: Getty Images)
The Cleveland Browns are set to stick with Jameis Winston as their quarterback when they host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
The Browns suffered a 27-14 defeat to division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, last Sunday. Despite throwing for 211 yards and two touchdowns, Winston also threw two interceptions in his sixth start of the season, filling in for the injured Deshaun Watson. Watson's season was cut short due to an Achilles tear sustained in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
This loss has seen the Browns' record drop to 3-10, officially eliminating them from NFL playoff contention. When asked if he would continue with Winston, whose contract with the Browns ends after this season, at quarterback, Stefanski confirmed: "Yes."
He added: "We're just going to continue to do everything we can to play better. Obviously, I think we can play better on offense. Certainly as a team we can play better, but really the focus is making sure that we put our guys in position to find a way to win."
With the Browns now out of the playoffs and unable to achieve a winning season, fans have questioned whether the team might turn to second-year backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
After the game, Stefanski was asked if he had considered putting Thompson-Robinson in against the Steelers, or if the 25-year-old will get any playing time in 2024. Stefanski firmly stated at the time: "No. Did not. Let's worry about this one right now. Jameis, obviously, we lost as a team. I know he feels like he can play better, but we win and lose as a team."
Winston is currently 2-4 with the Browns this season (
Image:
Getty Images)
Since stepping into the QB spot, Winston has led the Browns to a 2-4 record, hurling an impressive 1,892 yards - with three games featuring at least 334 yards and notching a franchise-record and personal best with a whopping 497-yard game in the 41-32 defeat by the Broncos.
Yet, turnovers continue to haunt Winston; his count hit nine in six matches following two picks against the Steelers, including a worrying five in the recent pair of games. The future remains uncertain for the seasoned quarterback in Cleveland.
With just a single-year deal inked for the 2024 season, he could be tempted away come spring, as teams like the New York Giants, New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders ponder a swap for a fresh arm. While Stefanski emphasizes that Browns' victories and setbacks are collective, even in interceptions, Winston admits he's aiming to up his game and clinch more victories for Cleveland, telling the press: "One thing we don't control is the outcomes of these games."
"What we have to control is what we do, what we put out there on tape, what we put out, put into the week, every single week, how we continue to fight, and how we represent not only the Cleveland Browns but ourselves. As grateful as we are to have this opportunity to play football, a child's game, we have to find a way to dig deep and find a way to get a win."
Winston and the Browns are gearing up for a tough match against the 12-1 Chiefs come Sunday, December 15.