The Browns' switch from Jameis Winston to Dorian Thompson-Robinson is easy to explain.
Winston threw too many interceptions to remain a viable option at starter. Now, Thompson-Robinson gets his chance to prove himself as Cleveland's third starter of 2024, taking the field with a full week of preparation as QB1 for the first time this season.
“I mean, super excited, obviously," Thompson-Robinson said Wednesday ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals. "Finally getting another opportunity at this thing. And just happy to be up there. Be able to get a full week of reps, of practice, and then go out there in the game and lead these boys the right way.”
Quietly, the Browns have maintained a slight fascination with Thompson-Robinson since spending a fifth-round pick on the UCLA product in the 2023 draft. Cleveland threw him into the fire as a rookie last season before eventually turning to Joe Flacco, and seemed to prepare him for possible reps in their Week 7 loss this year to Cincinnati, a game in which Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles tear and Thompson-Robinson was also knocked out of the action due to injury.
That outing and Winston's surprising success a week later led to Winston manning the job up until this week. With Winston struggling to protect the football, coach Kevin Stefanski deemed Week 16 as the best time to turn back to Thompson-Robinson for a legitimate look at what the Browns might have in the former Bruin.
If Thompson-Robinson succeeds, it could set the stage for a run at the starting job in 2025. The second-year passer isn't thinking that far ahead, however.
“Oh, yeah. Best believe we’re trying to take full advantage of it, too," Thompson-Robinson said. "We’re going to go out there and we’re going to try to win these games. Like I said, not trying to look big picture, just taking it one play at a time, focusing on my one-to-two, the outlet, if it’s in the run game, seeing the shell of the defense. If we got a check on getting to the right check, like just making it as simple as possible. So that way, when the game comes and the bullets are flying, my eyes are in the right spots, I’m not looking at the whole field, I’m looking at just one side and moving on from there.
"Then after that, they got to be able to deal with these legs. I know what these can do, and we’re going to have to use them when we can.”
Thompson-Robinson brings a modern skill set to the Browns offense that they hoped they'd see Watson use during his three seasons with the Browns. Thompson-Robinson is a better runner but hasn't proven himself as a decision-maker or as a passer.
Ideally, he'll get the final three games to do just that. He'll begin such a quest with more NFL experience than he's had in his previous appearances, plus the week of practice under his belt.
“Yeah, I mean, there’s only one quarterback out there for a reason and that guy needs all the reps he can get," Thompson-Robinson said when asked about the importance of the week of preparation. "Whether it’s timing, the footwork, the snapping, the motions, just all the things that it takes to, like I said, the operational things can really help you at ease when it comes to throwing the ball and being in the right spot if everything around you is not a headache or chaos.”
He'll find a familiar opponent in Cincinnati, the team he faced when he last took the field as the Browns' backup prior to Week 15's second-half insertion. It's an ideal matchup against a defense that has struggled to stop most anyone this season, but certainly doesn't guarantee success.
“Yeah, you get some familiarity, obviously, when you’re playing a divisional opponent," Thompson-Robinson said. "This is now my fourth time breaking them down already in my two years. So, there’s a lot of familiarity, especially with the scheme. They have the same defensive coordinator, so pretty much the same group of guys on defense, core guys. So, just trying to go over my old notes as well as just watching up on what they do next.”
Thompson-Robinson's elevation means Winston is headed back to the bench, a place he knew well during his time behind Drew Brees in New Orleans. Thompson-Robinson commended his elder teammate for bringing "energy, leadership, all the things I just talked about" during his time as the team's starter while offering "tremendous help" to the younger signal-caller.
Now isn't time for reflection, though -- it's about seizing the opportunity in front of Thompson-Robinson.
“When the leash is kind of short, every play matters, I know that," Thompson-Robinson said. "It’s not like I’m in here walking on eggshells or playing conservative, but I know that I have to get this team up and down the field. And it starts with the first play, it ends with the last, and we’re trying to end with a kick every drive.
"So that’s the biggest thing is, like I said, getting guys in and out of the huddle, showing coach that I can run this offense operationally and then protecting the ball. Ball security is job security and making sure that the other team doesn’t touch it is probably my main concern.”
Ball security was Winston's downfall. Thompson-Robinson is focused on ensuring it isn't his, too.