New Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston recently disclosed that he really likes Baker Mayfield.
Winston and Mayfield have switched places since being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in their respective draft classes. Winston was chosen as the first overall selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015 and was the starter for five seasons. Mayfield was picked as the No. 1 choice in the 2018 draft by the Browns but his time in Cleveland ended unceremoniously in 2022 after the team acquired Deshaun Watson.
Mayfield is now the starting quarterback in Tampa Bay and signed a three-year, $100 million contract with the Bucs this offseason. Winston is in Cleveland to support Watson after spending some time with the New Orleans Saints.
Winston has been keeping an eye on Mayfield and mentioned on Theo Von’s podcast “This Past Weekend” that he’s a big fan of the former Heisman winner. It comes from Winston being a fan of Oklahoma, where Mayfield played college football.
“He is a beast, man,” Winston told Von. “There are so many stories like that, man. So many stories. You hear about people pushing through. You will come out on the other side.”
Since being released by the Browns, Mayfield has overcome some adversity. He moved around with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams before getting his chance with the Bucs. After winning the starting job in training camp he performed well. Mayfield threw for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He achieved a quarterback rating of 94.6 and helped Tampa Bay secure a postseason victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jameis Winston Recently Met Up With Browns QB Deshaun Watson
Unlike Mayfield, Winston is not in line to start games next season. He’s made himself valuable as a veteran backup, which the Browns identified in free agency and took advantage of the opportunity to bring him on board.
“I think every year you have to look at your roster, look at the team, and make decisions that you think are right for the football team,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on March 25. “We’re really excited about Jameis. He’s a talented football player. I’m excited about his fit with what we’re doing, but that was really the crux of it.”
Winston has passed for 22,104 yards, 141 touchdowns and 99 interceptions in his career. He has a 34-46 record as a starter and made the Pro Bowl in 2015 as a rookie. He’s spent the last four seasons with the Saints, mostly as a backup, starting 10 games over that span.
Winston recently met up with Watson in Los Angeles, which the Browns posted to their social media.
“Look who linked up,” the team posted with a photo of Watson and Winston together smiling.
Browns QB Jameis Winston Wants to be Starter Again
Cleveland is the latest stop for Winston and likely won’t be his last. Winston has plans to be a starter again in the NFL, although he understands his role with the Browns.
“The most important thing, I believe, is the relationship between me and Deshaun is in a place where it will continue to grow and flourish. And I just admire him as a person and definitely as a football player,” Winston said. “I am excited to support him in any way he needs and also provide him with different resources that he may not have received from others in similar situations. I want to serve him and the team in the best way possible by offering encouragement and assistance.”
The Browns put in a lot of effort during the offseason to enhance the depth of their quarterback group. Tyler Huntley, a former Baltimore Ravens quarterback, will join Winston. He brings with him some experience as a starter and will compete for a backup position.
Second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson will also be in the mix. The former fifth-round pick had an interesting rookie season. Thompson-Robinson was among the five different quarterbacks the Browns started last season. He went 3-1 in those starts, passing for 440 yards, 1 touchdown and 4 interceptions.
