Browns continue tradition of high-risk, questionable roster decisions

So, the Cleveland Browns signed Jameis Winston as the backup quarterback. Winston’s addition to the quarterback room as DeShaun Watson’s backup means the Browns have cornered the market on NFL quarterbacks with a history of sexual assault.

Cleveland fans were hoping Joe Flacco would return to the team after coming of his couch last season to lead the Browns to the playoffs.

Joe Flacco was hoping to return to the Browns as well. He loved Cleveland, the fans and the players.

The players loved Flacco as did the fans. And that is the problem.

Watson told the Browns he wasn’t comfortable having Flacco as the backup. He knew everyone would be wanting Flacco at the helm.

DeShaun Watson. What a competitor.

The Browns couldn’t risk having any problems in the locker room with players wanting Flacco and causing a division in the team. So, the Browns didn’t even offer Flacco a contract even though they had said after last season that they would be interested in bringing Flacco back if they could work out a deal.

The Browns brought in Winston at $8.7 million on a one-year deal. Flacco signed a one-year deal with the Colts for $4.5 million. But the problem was the Browns are overpaying Watson $43 million a year – fully guaranteed — for 3 more seasons and they have to at least try to get their money’s worth.

Watson may rebound and have a great season, maybe even lead the Browns to the Super Bowl.

And maybe when Pope Francis dies I’ll be elected his successor.