https://player.anyclip.com/anyclip-widget/lre-widget/prod/v1/src/lre.jsQuarterback Jameis Winston is the latest member of the Cleveland Browns (or former member) to speak out about the recent trade request made by defensive end Myles Garrett.
In a recent episode of “Off the Edge with Cam Jordan,” the pending free agent quarterback shared his perspective on the Browns’ internal dynamics during the 2024 NFL season:
“What I saw from the [Browns] didn’t seem like an organization that was deteriorating.”
This sentiment was conveyed during an off-camera conversation with Myles Garrett, who seemingly has been contemplating a trade request throughout the season. Jameis stated that Garrett’s response to his observation was simple:
“Jameis, you’ve never been 0-16.”
But while Garrett’s comment points to the scars of the past, the reality is that the Browns of 2024 were not the Browns of 2017. This is a franchise that just two years ago went 11-6, overcoming a seemingly endless wave of injuries, including to quarterback Deshaun Watson. They still found a way to reach the playoffs under head coach Kevin Stefanski.
However, in 2024, that same organization stumbled to a 3-14 record, and the reasons weren’t as simple as just bad luck. It’s becoming increasingly clear that the Browns’ commitment to tailoring their entire offensive system around Watson at the expense of the greater team dynamic was the fatal flaw.
Winston alluded to this in his comments, implying that the Browns still have the talent and structure to be a winning organization.
As the Browns move forward in the 2025 offseason, the biggest question isn’t whether they can return to their winning ways—it’s whether they can keep their stars like Garrett invested in the process. If the face of the franchise is openly pondering his future, it signals a much bigger problem than just one bad season.