Browns QB overhaul official with signings of Jameis Winston, Tyler Huntley

The Browns quarterback depth chart overhaul has been completed.

The team announced the signings Wednesday of quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley. Both deals had been previously reported, as Winston's was finalized on March 12 and Huntley's this past Sunday.

"First, the opportunity," Winston said of the draw to Cleveland during an introductory Zoom call Wednesday. "I'm a firm believer that nothing happens by coincidence. So, when this opportunity came around, we locked and we communicated, we collaborated it, and this just felt like a great fit for me."

Those two will fall behind starter Deshaun Watson, who was expected to begin throwing this week after season-ending surgery last Nov. 21 to repair structural damage after suffering a broken glenoid in his throwing shoulder. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round pick last April's draft, also will be returning from a season-ending hip injury suffered on Christmas Eve.

Winston, 30, signed an incentive-laden one-year deal, with a base salary of $4 million and up to another $4.7 million in bonuses. Huntley, 26, signed a one-year deal at the veteran's minimum, which this season will be $915,000.

Both quarterbacks, especially the former No. 1 overall pick Winston, bring starting experience to the team. Winston has started 80 of the 94 games in which he's appeared in with either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or New Orleans Saints since 2015, while Huntley has made 10 total starts — nine regular-season and one playoff — in 22 career appearances with the Baltimore Ravens since 2020.

However, despite that starting experience, both come in with Watson clearly established as the No. 1. Winston, who spent this past season backing up Derek Carr in New Orleans, is ready to take on whatever is required to help as the backup.

"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," Winston said. "I just admire him as a person and, definitely, as a football player. I look forward to allowing him to lean on me for anything that he needs. And also encouraging him and providing him with different resources that he probably hasn't gotten from people who have been in the same room as him."

A year ago, the Browns were left with just the rookie Thompson-Robinson on the active roster when Watson initially sustained a shoulder cuff sprain that cost him three-plus games in October. P.J. Walker, who eventually started two games while finishing out a third, was on the practice squad at the time of Watson's first shoulder injury.

Those two entered that season with seven combined starts in 15 career games, all during Walker's first three seasons with the Carolina Panthers. It's why, after Watson suffered the season-ending injury in Week 10, the Browns brought it 16-year pro Joe Flacco, who would take from Thompson-Robinson in December and go 4-1 in the regular season before the playoff loss in Houston.

Winston and Huntley provide experienced arms to help the Browns get through the voluntary offseason program while Watson continues to rehab his shoulder. The goal remains for Watson, who's played in just 12 of the 35 — counting playoffs — possible games since being acquired March 18, 2022, to be back in time for the start of training camp in late July.

Winston and Watson have known each other since 2014, when Winston was in his third and final season at Florida State and Watson was a true freshman at Clemson. Despite that background, Winston said it wasn't until the move became known that he was able to talk to Watson.

"There wasn't any conversation with me and Deshaun prior to signing, but there has been conversation with me and Deshaun since the signing," Winston said. "During the free agency process, I mean, you talk to certain teams, you develop relationships typically during the tampering period, two days before the new league year. So my agent, and I have an incredible agent who was on top of the relationship and feedback with the Cleveland Browns since the combine time. … But like I said, this opportunity really stood out because of, one, the great organization that it is. Two, the incredible fan base and incredible people that this city possesses. And three, just the opportunity to remain grateful and to build and influence others around me."

Despite being mostly a backup the last four seasons with the Saints, Winston has completed 61.2% of his passes for 22,104 yards with 141 touchdowns and 99 interceptions. In 2019, with Tampa Bay, he led the league in attempts (626), passing yards (5,109), interceptions (30) and yards per game (319.3), while his 33 TD passes were second in the league.

Huntley, a Pro Bowler after the 2022 season, has completed 64.6% of his 342 passes for 1,957 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He's also run the ball 115 times for 509 yards and three touchdowns.

This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns QB overhaul official with Jameis Winston, Tyler Huntley deals