Jameis Winston has become something of a revelation for the Cleveland Browns this season since he took over the starting QB role for an injured Deshaun Watson.
Even during a trying season that now sits at 3-9 -- and even with Winston's costly interceptions.
Winston threw three in Monday’s loss to the Denver Broncos, two of which were run back for touchdowns, that overshadowed an otherwise electric performance.
Winston also had a three-INT game in Cleveland's loss to the Chargers in Week 9.
Winston has been a bright spot for Cleveland, leading them to two victories, including rousing wins over the division-rival Ravens and Steelers. But his seven interceptions in five starts harken back to Winston's high-turnover days of the past, including his stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he memorably had the league's first 30 TD-30 INT season in 2019.
The Bucs moved on from Winston following that season, setting the former No. 1 overall pick on a path that would lead him to Cleveland.
Winston on Thursday reflected on what he said was a really tough time for him, dwelling too much on the negatives.
"For me, I was having some stuff going on," he said. "That year is where I felt that I thought about it too much. I love the game, but I thought about negatives too much. You can't think positive and negative at the same time."
It took Winston some time to come to the realization. He credited conversations with then-Bucs coaches Bruce Arians, Byron Leftwich and Clyde Christensen, along with his eventual Saints teammate Drew Brees, for allowing Winston to see the light. But they also reminded him of the bottom line.
"I just had some unfortunate turnovers," Winston said Thursday, "and turnovers can change the outcome of a football game."
Their advice for Winston, he said, was: "'Jameis, focus on your decisions. Keep on playing, Jameis. Don't let that define you.' And that's what I'm doing now in my career. I'm not going to let a narrative of turnovers define who I am."
When asked on Monday about his frustrations after the game, Winston said that at times like that he prays "for the Lord to deliver me from pick-sixes."
The comments went viral, but it's a topic Winston told reporters on Thursday that he takes very seriously.
"It's not fun. I take it very personal," Winston said when asked about the reaction. "I do believe in prayer. I know prayer works.
"But I still focus on the decisions. I can work (on) fundamentals, and I'm going to continue to work (on) fundamentals. And understand when those moments come up, focusing on the fundamentals and technique more than the moment (is important)."
On Sunday, the Browns head to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers -- a team that will want payback for a Week 12 loss in Cleveland.
Winston, former baseball player at Florida State, said on Thursday he pledges to still take healthy cuts when he gets his chances, even if he plans to cut down on his swing just a bit in light of recent -- and past -- events.
"I'm going to continue to step up to the plate," he said. "... Keep on stepping back up to the plate and keep swinging for the fences.
"But I'm swinging to hit line drives. Sometimes when it's right down the middle … you hit it out of the park. But when you've got a good pitcher that's staying low and away, you hit a line drive into right center and live to have another at-bat."
