BREAKING: Jameis Winston To Sign With The Cleveland Browns

Jameis Winston leaves the New Orleans Saints to sign with an AFC North team.

Jameis Winston is officially no longer a member of the New Orleans Saints. NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reports on Tuesday morning that Winston will sign a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns worth a reported $8.7 million dollars. 

Winston, 30, had been with New Orleans for the last four seasons. He completed 53.2% of his passes for 264 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions as a backup to Derek Carr last season. Presumably, Winston was signed to back up Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. 

The top overall choice in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Winston won both a Heisman Trophy and a National Championship at Florida State. In five years with the Buccaneers, Winston completed 61.3% of his throws for 19,737 yards with 121 touchdowns and 88 interceptions. That included 5,109 yards with 33 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions in 2019.

New Orleans signed Winston to back up Drew Brees in 2020. When Brees retired after that season, Winston was the starter to begin the next year. He was 5-2 as a starter to open the year before being lost for the season with a knee injury. 

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) passes the ball against the Detroit Lions. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Winston opened 2022 as the starting quarterback, but was again sidelined with foot and back injuries. Even once healthy, coach Dennis Allen elected to play Andy Dalton over Winston. 

Over a nine-year career, Jameis Winston has 22,104 yards passing with 141 touchdowns, 99 interceptions, and a 61.2% completion percentage. In four years with the Saints, Winston had a 59.9% completion percentage with 2,367 yards, 20 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 6-4 record as a starter.

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