When it was officially announced that star quarterback Deshaun Watson would be out for the season due to a torn Achilles tendon, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and his staff turned to veteran quarterback Jameis Winston to step up—a choice that seemed promising.
At first, the switch to Winston energized the Browns, as he helped secure an unexpected win over their division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, in Week 8.
This victory sparked some hope that their season might still be salvageable. However, Cleveland’s high spirits were short-lived, as they struggled in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chargers dominated at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, with Justin Herbert leading his team to a decisive 17-point win. Winston, who had guided the Browns to victory the previous week, struggled against Los Angeles, throwing three interceptions. This led to questions for Stefanski about Winston’s future as the starting quarterback, as reported by 92.3 The Fan.
“We just have to play better as a football team,” Stefanski said. Now standing at 2-7, the Browns are facing a disappointing end to their 2024 season with slim chances of a turnaround, regardless of who plays quarterback.
Even so, there’s little reason to make a change now, and seeing the season through with Winston makes sense, despite the possibility of more challenging performances ahead.
