Another prime-time opportunity for Jameis Winston

The Broncos have the league’s best defense in yards allowed per play (4.7), red zone touchdown percentage (39.4) and sacks (44). One of the keys to the Browns’ offensive success with Winston has been the quarterback’s ability to find open receivers against pressure. Winston will need to take care of the ball against a defense that’s also recorded 15 takeaways this season.

We know the Browns’ future at quarterback is completely unsettled, so every opportunity for Winston to show he can be efficient and productive against a quality defense is an important one. He’s again eligible for unrestricted free agency in March. Winston has been adamant since October that he’s only focused on now and being the best player he can be for the Browns, but he was asked last week if he envisions himself staying in Cleveland.

“When I think about my family, I think about moving my kids, my wife having to find new friends,” Winston said. “I think anytime where you’re able to solidify a role and a place and play good at that place, you like to be home. However, that’s out of my control. Again, my focus is on one play at a time … and just stacking it up day after day after day.

“I’m comfortable everywhere I go. Every room I step in, I’m comfortable. But I’ve truly embraced this city. I love the hard-nosed (mindset). I love the beautiful trees, three months out of the year. I’m grateful, and it’s as simple as that. Man, I’m grateful for the fans challenging me. I’m grateful for the fans lifting me up.”

If Winston avoids turnovers, the Browns will have multiple chances to play spoiler the rest of the season and he’ll have a starting job somewhere in 2025, even if it’s not in Cleveland. With the Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs on the schedule over the next 14 days, there are some really important evaluation points still in front of Winston and his pass catchers, who are playing for their own futures on some level.

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