The Cleveland Browns are signing veteran quarterback Jameis Winston to a one-year, $8.7 million contract, The Athletic reported Tuesday.
Winston was the No. 1 pick of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has spent his entire career in the NFC South with the Bucs (2015-19) and New Orleans Saints.
His signing means that Joe Flacco, who earned Comeback Player of the Year for leading the Browns to the postseason following the season-ending injury to Deshaun Watson, is unlikely to return to Cleveland.
Winston, 30, has appeared in 93 career games (80 starts) and has a 34-46 record — 28-42 with the Bucs and 6-4 with the Saints. He’s completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 22,104 yards with 141 touchdowns and 99 interceptions.
As a rusher, he has added 11 touchdowns and 1,214 yards on 298 carries.
In limited action in seven games as Derek Carr’s backup in New Orleans last season, Winston completed 25 passes for 264 yards with two TDs and three interceptions.
Also Tuesday, the Washington Commanders and quarterback Marcus Mariota reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year deal. Mariota was the No. 2 pick behind Winston in 2015.
–Field Level Media
