Cleveland Browns went in a different direction for their backup quarterback position that not many people would have guessed by signing Jameis Winston.

That meant moving on from Joe Flacco, who was important for the team down the stretch run of the 2023 season.

Flacco ended up signing with the Colts and during league meetings today, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski elaborated on why Flacco was not brought back.

“I would just say with Joe number one, and we’ve talked about it last year was great getting to know him, getting him implemented into our team, what he meant, the impact he had was special,” said Stefanski. “As we talked about, 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. We’re really excited about Jameis. He’s a talented, talented football player. I’m excited about his fit with what we’re doing, but that was really the crux of it.”

Winston is younger, has a better scheme fit, and offers a more vocal leader to the locker room. While Flacco was a good leader, he just isn’t as outgoing of a person as Winston. Both players’ contracts can reach north of $8 million with incentives, but the hope for the Browns has to be that doesn’t happen with Winston.

In the last two years, Watson has played in just 12 total games as the starter in Cleveland. You take a big knock whenever you lose your starting quarterback and the Browns have to hope that the missed time is in the past.

If it isn’t, Cleveland has three other quarterbacks on the roster who have playing time on their resume in the NFL. They managed through last season and they had to be near rock bottom with injuries.