CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Flacco fever has broken.
The Cleveland Browns came to terms on a contract with veteran quarterback Jameis Winston Tuesday morning a league source confirmed to 92.3 The Fan meaning Joe Flacco will not return.
Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report first reported the agreement which is for one year and worth up to $8.7 million.
Winston, a former No. 1 overall pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015, has spent the past four seasons in New Orleans, primarily as a backup quarterback for the Saints where he appeared in 21 games with 10 starts.
For his career Winston has started 80 of the 93 games he has appeared in completing 61.2% of his passes for 22,104 yards with 141 touchdowns and 99 interceptions.
The Browns also came to terms on a contract with running back Nyheim Hines. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the agreement for one year worth up to $3.5 million.
Hines, who missed the 2023 season after suffering a torn ACL during a jet ski accident last July, was picked by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2018 Draft and has rushed for 1,202 yards with 10 touchdowns in 81 games.
Hines is also a kick return specialist with career averages of 11.4 yards per punt return and 25.5 returning kickoffs with four total touchdown returns.
The Browns also agreed to re-sign reserve guard Michael Dunn and defensive tackle Shelby Harris.
On Tuesday defensive end Za’Darius Smith, acquired last offseason in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings, and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst agreed to stay in Cleveland. The Browns also came to terms on a contract with Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks, who used to play for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz in Philadelphia.
Saturday the Browns agreed to acquire receiver Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos for a pair of 2024 draft picks – Nos. 135 and 202 in the fifth and sixth rounds respectively.
Flacco, who threw for 1,616 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions in five starts during the regular season, won Comeback Player of the Year for leading the Browns down the stretch to the playoffs after signing in mid-November.