Browns starting QB Thompson-Robinson against Bengals over turnover-prone Winston, AP source says
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) passes against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns are starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson on Sunday in Cincinnati with the switch coming after Jameis Winston threw three more interceptions, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Winston, who took over Cleveland’s starting job in October when Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending injury, was benched after throwing his third pick — and eighth in three games — in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Thompson-Robinson finished the game and will now face the Bengals (6-8), said the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team has not commented.
The Browns (3-11) are off Tuesday.
On Monday, coach Kevin Stefanski said he and his staff were working through their plans at QB, but his lack of commitment toward Winston was a strong sign he would make the change to Thompson-Robinson.
White Winston did get Cleveland’s offense going, he went 2-5 and threw 12 interceptions. He passed for 497 yards two weeks ago against Denver, but threw a pair of interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.
A fifth-round pick in 2023 from UCLA, Thompson-Robinson went 1-2 in three starts as a rookie last season. In two years, he’s completed 75 of 146 passes (51.4%) for 540 yards and a touchdown. He has thrown seven interceptions.
He’s expected to start the final three games, giving the organization a better evaluation with the position unsettled for 2025.
The Browns have high hopes for the 25-year-old and will use the next three games to assess Thompson-Robinson’s development and see whether he can be in the mix to be their starter in 2025.
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