Analyst Believes Browns Could Benefit From Bringing Back Former QB

Now that the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback decision has been made, and despite the outcry, it doesn’t look like it’s going to change, it’s time to sort out the aftermath. With Deshaun Watson as the unpopular starter, at least outside the organization, that leaves Shedeur Sanders as the backup.

There is a line of thinking that it’s better this way because it will be much easier to replace Watson with Sanders when that time comes, compared to how awkward it would have been the other way around. But there’s also a prevailing view that Sanders isn’t cut out for the No. 2 job, for various reasons, and that it might be better to get someone else to handle it.

Analyst Anthony Lima said he believes the Browns could benefit from bringing back former QB Jameis Winston, who is not only a veteran who is familiar with the role, but he also could turn out to be a whole lot of fun based on his personality and playing style he showed with the team in 2024.

“I think we’re all starting to see what this season is going to be. Todd Monken’s telling you that Deshaun Watson, the guy that we don’t think can play football, is ahead of Shedeur Sanders. What kind of season do you think you’re gearing up to have? So, Jameis, we know he’s entertaining. We know he’s considered a big-time leader. At least, he can conduct an offense. Fans like him. You’re saying ‘same results’ as win-loss, I’m talking about results as in, ‘Are players getting the right work in? Are they getting better throughout the course of the year?’ Or do you think you could just do that with Shedeur?” Lima said.

"I think we're all starting to see what this season is going to be. Fans like (Jameis Winston)."

🚨 @SportsBoyTony and @KenCarman react to whether the #Browns would be better off with Jameis Winston or another veteran QB https://t.co/q6xqeRRhWS pic.twitter.com/xeAhhgVxla

— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 26, 2026

Winston is currently with the New York Giants as the backup to Jaxson Dart. With Brandon Allen and Jake Haener behind them on that depth chart, it is unclear why the Giants would want to part with Winston, especially considering Dart’s injury history in his very brief career.

The Giants would probably not want Sanders in a trade, unless there was more to the package, and maybe not even then. The Browns could offer Dillon Gabriel, which could give the Giants a younger, long-term backup to Dart without the extra attention that Sanders would bring.

If Winston, or another quarterback, does arrive in the coming weeks, that would likely be the end of Gabriel’s time in Cleveland regardless. If Sanders is not traded, that would leave the Browns with five quarterbacks, and they are already debating whether to keep four, including rookie Taylen Green, on the final 53-man roster.

In reality, it would make more sense for the Browns to acquire Winston as their starter if head coach Todd Monken really believes that Sanders is not cut out for that job, as his Watson decision has indicated.