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After using five different starting quarterbacks last season, the Cleveland Browns are going with Jameis Winston as their established backup behind Deshaun Watson in 2024.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Winston has agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million with the Browns.
Cleveland is also adding more depth to its backfield with questions about Nick Chubb’s knee injury by adding Nyheim Hines on a one-year deal worth up to $3.5 million, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
While the exact cap numbers aren’t available at this point, the Browns entered the day with just under $5 million in space to use.
Here’s Cleveland’s updated depth chart with Winston and Hines entering the fold:
QB: Deshaun Watson/Jameis Winston/Dorian Thompson-Robinson
RB: Nick Chubb/Jerome Ford/Nyheim Hines/Pierre Strong/John Kelly
WR1: Amari Cooper/Cedric Tillman/Michael Woods II
WR2: Jerry Jeudy/David Bell/Jaelon Darden
TE: David Njoku/Jordan Akins/Zaire Mitchell-Paden
LT: Jedrick Wills Jr./James Hudson III
LG: Joel Bitonio/Drew Forbes
C: Ethan Pocic/Luke Wypler
RG: Wyatt Teller/Dawson Deaton
RT: Jack Conklin/Dawand Jones/Leroy Watson/Justin Murray
The Browns essentially bet on Watson having a big 2023 with how they approached their quarterback room. They started the year with P.J. Walker and fifth-round rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson as their backups.
Walker and Thompson-Robinson combined to throw two touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Joe Flacco signed with the Browns on Nov. 20 after Watson was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury that required surgery. The 39-year-old went 4-1 in five starts during the regular season, throwing 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
While the Browns could have run things back with Flacco as their No. 2 quarterback, Winston’s play style is similar and he’s nine years younger. He has a big arm and is going to throw the ball deep down the field.
Given Watson’s injury issues since he joined the Browns, adding a high-level backup to get through the season is a smart investment.
Chubb had multiple surgeries on his left knee to repair the torn MCL and damaged ACL he suffered in a Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team has said his estimated recovery time will allow him “to play during the 2024 season,” though it’s unclear if that means he will be ready for Week 1.
Hines is also coming off a serious injury sustained last offseason. He was involved in a jet ski accident that resulted in a knee injury that kept him out for the entire 2023 campaign.
Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
While sitting stationary on a jet ski, Nyheim Hines was struck by another rider and sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries. Hines will require surgery and will miss the 2023 season. https://t.co/hR1VVD7BmW
Jerome Ford led the Browns with 813 rushing yards in 17 appearances last season. Kareem Hunt, who signed with the team after Chubb’s injury, led the team with nine rushing touchdowns.
Hines could be Cleveland’s primary pass-catching running back in 2024. He averaged 48 receptions and 356 receiving yards in his first five NFL seasons from 2018 to ’22.
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