Cleveland Makes yet another Switch in their Quarterback Position
In the NFL, nothing is more disheartening than a poor team having a terrible outing. Last Sunday, this was the case for the Cleveland Browns. They're a subpar team experiencing a string of bad days, and Sunday's 21-7 defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs was just another episode in their unfortunate season.
The Browns have had numerous down days this season, and there might be three more disappointing games in store for them. Their most recent setback was last Sunday, as they succumbed to the Chiefs with a score of 21-7.
During the game, Cleveland's quarterbacks were rattled five times, while the Chiefs' quarterback remained untouched. The Browns' quarterbacks tossed four interceptions, while their counterparts didn't throw a single pick. Cleveland fumbled three times, while the Chiefs didn't lose possession. Cleveland committed a total of six turnovers, while the Chiefs didn't give up a single mistake.
"You can't turn the ball over six times and expect to emerge victorious in any football match, at any level," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. "I'm completely displeased with the fact that we did that. So, we're making the game even more challenging for ourselves with how we're performing."
Jameis Winston, the Browns' backup quarterback, has become the epitome of their inefficiency. In 12 games, including seven starts, he's thrown 12 interceptions.
Quizzed on Monday about Winston's potential to start the game against Cincinnati, Stefanski remained ambiguous. "I'll update you when it's time," the two-time Coach of the Year stated.
This has been a trying season for the Browns, their coach, and especially Winston. The first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay, Winston has historically struggled with consistency across all three teams—Tampa Bay, New Orleans, and Cleveland—where he's played, totalling 154 touchdown passes and 111 interceptions in his 10-year career. With the Browns this year, he's thrown for 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Winston has thrown nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his last six games, which includes three games in which he threw three interceptions, such as the game against the Chiefs last Sunday. After his third interception, he was substituted by Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the fourth quarter.
"The quarterback's job is to protect the ball and give your squad an opportunity to win," Winston said. "The leadership decided that my time had run out."
Dorian Thompson-Robinson replaced Winston in the game's final quarter.
"He's been coaching for a long time, and whatever he decides, I trust it," Winston said of Stefanski. "I know what I'm capable of doing. But throughout the course of the season, especially the last few games, we haven't had a game without a turnover. I believe that's a crucial factor in his decision-making process."
Stefanski said he didn't detect a common thread connecting all of Winston's turnovers.
"I think every single one is different," Stefanski said. "You have to learn from each one. Playing at the quarterback position means you're making decisions 70 times game. You have to trust what you see. There are times when you should be aggressive and times when you shouldn't. But ultimately, we're making things tougher for ourselves right now."
The Browns' record underscores their struggles. They'll enter their game against Cincinnati with a 3-11 record. Only the Giants and Raiders have suffered more losses this year than the 3-11 Browns.
On Wednesday, Stefanski announced that Winston would be replaced by Dorian Thompson-Robinson as the Browns' starting quarterback. Stefanski cited the reason as their desire to give Thompson-Robinson adequate time to prepare for his debut.
The Browns selected Thompson-Robinson in the fifth round of the 2023 draft from UCLA. In 12 appearances (three starts) with the Browns, Thompson-Robinson boasts a 1-2 record with a 44% completion average, one touchdown pass, and seven interceptions.
"We're trying to find a way to win and take care of the ball," Stefanski said. "It's not about one individual. Turnover margin is the most significant statistic there is, and we've surrendered possession too many times."
Things won't get any easier for Cleveland following their game against Cincinnati. Subsequent contests include a home game against Miami and a away game against Baltimore. Regardless of the outcomes of these games, the Browns have already ensured they will end up last in their division for the 15th time in 22 years under the watch of 12 different head coaches.
The Browns' poor performance in sports, evidenced by their high turnover rate and numerous losses, has significantly impacted their business earnings. Jameis Winston's performance, with his high interception count, has become a major concern for the team's business, as it affects their win-loss record and fan engagement.
