Browns Rumors: Jameis Winston Targeted to Back Up Deshaun Watson amid Joe Flacco Buzz

The Cleveland Browns are expected to bring back veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, but the team reportedly is eyeing another signal-caller as the potential backup to Deshaun Watson.

According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, the Browns are interested in Jameis Winston as a backup quarterback.

Winston has spent the last four seasons with the New Orleans Saints and saw action in seven games in 2023 while serving as the backup to Derek Carr. He threw for 264 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in his limited time on the field.

Cabot reported on Saturday that Flacco was "a good bet" to return to the Browns after both sides expressed mutual interest in a reunion. The NFL Comeback Player of the Year reportedly hoped for the chance to compete for a starting job, but the quarterback landscape across the league would not afford him that opportunity.

Flacco led the Browns to four wins in their last five games, surpassing the 300-yard mark in four straight outings. He completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions while filling in for Watson, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. The 39-year-old said on SiriusXM NFL Radio last week that without a starting job available, the Browns are "definitely" his first choice "all things equal."

With Watson presumably returning to full health next season, the Browns are hoping to emerge as a top contender in the AFC. However, Watson's injury history has proved that it's necessary for Cleveland to have contingency plans in place, so adding Flacco or Winston would be a smart move.