Would the Browns have any interest in Daniel Jones? What about Jameis Winston’s future here, and more: Browns takeaways

But the Browns are not believed to have interest in Jones, even though they must address their quarterback room for next season. Conversely, the Browns might not be high on Jones’ list at this time.

The Browns were one of two teams that Jones beat this season, throwing for 236 yards and 2 TDs in a 21-15 Giants victory in Week 3. The other team was the Seahawks.

In six seasons, Jones went 22-44-1, with 70 interceptions and 47 interceptions. The Giants will take on $22.2 million in dead cap next season, but free up $19.4 million.

The Browns meanwhile, will decide what to do about Deshaun Watson, who has cap charges of almost $73 million in each of the next two seasons, and nearly $27 million in 2026.

What about Jameis Winston’s future?

Winston, who rushed for a touchdown and engineered the gamewinning drive on Thursday night’s victory, is free after this season unless the Browns opt to re-sign him.

His first choice will be to start here or elsewhere, but he’ll likely be open to returning for at least a chance to start next season.

The Browns must still determine if they’ll draft a quarterback whom they believe can start, opt for a short-term bridge quarterback, or acquire a veteran.

They must also decide if they’ll bring back Watson and in what capacity, given that cutting him or trading him before June 1 triggers a $172 million cap charge for next season.

For now, they’re thrilled that Winston has come up big against two of their biggest division rivals, beating the Ravens and Steelers for a 2-1 mark in the division. They’ve only lost to the Bengals.

But Stefanski wasn’t prepared to answer what impact it might have on the team to have Winston back in the fold from the start of next offseason.

“Obviously I’m not there at all,” he said. “I’m focused on what happened yesterday so we can talk to the players about that and make corrections and those type of things and then I’ll focus on Denver, but not really thinking about anything past that.”

On Winston’s dynamic personality

Winston has been just what the doctor ordered in this lost season, winning games, getting the receivers involved, delivering fiery pre-game speeches, and on Thursday night, making snow angels and singing Jingle Bells after the game.

“I think it goes back to Jameis is just a very, very authentic person,” Stefanski said. “He’s the same guy every single day. He’s the same guy at 5:00 AM as he is at 5:00 PM. He brings great energy to everything he does and I think his teammates appreciate that about him.”

But Stefanski wouldn’t concede that Winston is exactly what this 3-8 Browns team needs to hold it together and finish strong.

“I wouldn’t put it that way,” Stefanski said. “I would just say he’s a veteran who’s handling his role for us and doing what he’s supposed to do. But it really does go back to what we talked about before. He’s just being himself and when you’re being yourself and you’re playing good football for us on offense, on defense or special teams, that’s going to help this team win.”

But what about Jovial James Winston, who keeps everyone laughing, engaged and positive?

“The fun in this business is winning,” he said. “That’s where I get the fun out of it.”

Cedric Tillman is in the concussion protocol

Tillman is in the concussion protocol after taking a hard hit by linebacker Patrick Queen at the end of the third quarter that may have crossed the line. The good thing for Tillman (2 of 4, 28 yards) is that the Browns don’t play for another 10 days, Dec. 2 in Denver, and he could have time to heal by then.

On the Bengals game being flexed out of Thursday night

Stefanski wasn’t fazed by the NFL flexing the 4-7 Bengals and 3-8 Browns out of the Thursday Night Football Game on Dec. 19th in Cincy. The game will now be played on Sunday Dec. 22 at 1 p.m.

The Broncos and Chargers have been moved into the Dec. 19th slot in the first-ever flex of a Thursday Night game.

“We’ll play any day they tell us to play,” he said.

Finishing this one after blowing it in New Orleans

Stefanski appreciated that the Browns were able to put the Steelers game away after surrounding three TD in the 35-14 loss to the New Orleans last week. They gave up two fourth quarter TDs this time, but made the plays at the end, including Grant Delpit knocking down the Hail Mary in the end zone

“That was really frustrating for us and there’s nothing we can do about it,” he said. “Now you go to last night. We have the lead in the fourth and very quickly we don’t, and that’s football. So when you’re talking about being resilient, you have to show it. And I thought our guys did that last night and they did it really as a team. I thought that sequence we had one three-and-out in that game from our defense and it was when we needed it the most.

“It was the second to last possession, got an incompletion on that third down and then here comes our special teams and on their one opportunity to rush the punter, they did a great job and forced a bad punt, which was good for us. And then our offense takes over and does its job and finishes in the end zone, finishes with a two point conversion. So I just think it was an example of complimentary football was the way for us to show that resiliency, if you will.”