Things are going to look different in Cleveland this weekend.
Jameis Winston will make his first start for the Browns against the Ravens, coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday. Winston will also receive his plays from a new voice: offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.
Yes, for the first time in his tenure as coach of the Browns, Stefanski is relinquishing play-calling duties.
"Every single week, I'm looking at things that we can do better," Stefanski said when asked what prompted the change. "We need to improve, (so) I felt like this is the right move for right now."
The switch comes after Cleveland has proven to be a dreadful operation when possessing the ball in the first seven weeks, ranking dead last in yards per game, 30th in passing yards per game, tied for 28th in rushing yards per game and 29th in points scored per game (15.6). The Browns haven't cracked 20 points once in 2024, and after trading Amari Cooper to Buffalo last week, their leading touchdown scorer is veteran safety Rodney McLeod, who has returned a fumble and a blocked field goal for a total of two touchdowns.
Much of the Browns' struggles could have been pinned on Deshaun Watson's subpar play. Before a torn Achilles ended his season, Watson was unquestionably the worst starting quarterback in the NFL through the first six weeks, failing to find open targets and surrendering to opposing pass rushes habitually while struggling with accuracy when attempting passes. Though he didn't turn the ball over often, he also didn't help the Browns sustain drives. Through seven games, Cleveland ranks 32nd in third down conversion rate at 23.71 percent.
Simply, the Browns need to find a way to inject some life into their offense. With Watson now out of the picture for 2024, Stefanski is taking an extra step by handing play-calling duties to Dorsey, the offensive coordinator he hired in the offseason to replace Alex Van Pelt.
As far as quarterback is concerned, Winston is making the start out of necessity. Cleveland elevated Dorian Thompson-Robinson to the No. 2 quarterback prior to its Week 7 game against Cincinnati in what could have been perceived as a sign it was considering pulling Watson for the second-year passer, and ultimately made the switch because Watson was injured in the game.
Thompson-Robinson eventually exited too due to a finger injury sustained in the loss to Cincinnati. He will attempt to practice through the jammed finger on his throwing hand, and the Browns will monitor how Thompson-Robinson progresses during the week before deciding on his status as the backup to Winston, per Stefanski. Thompson-Robinson was officially a full participant on Wednesday.
With DTR on the mend, the only remaining option is Winston, a 10-year veteran with previous stints as a starter in both Tampa Bay and New Orleans. Winston managed to lead a touchdown drive late in the loss to the Bengals, and with a decade of experience under Winston's belt, it's easier for Stefanski to turn to the veteran in a time of need -- especially as they prepare to face the ferocious Ravens.
There will be plenty of newness for the Browns this weekend. We'll see if that leads to better results, or more of the same for the 1-6 squad.
