Jameis Winston became the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback in Week 8 when he replaced Deshaun Watson, who suffered a season-ending injury the week before. But should the Browns have made the move sooner?

Troy Aikman wondered that in Week 13 Monday Night Football Game between the Browns and Denver Broncos.

After throwing a pick-six, Winston led the Browns on a drive late in the first that culminated in a four-yard touchdown pass to David Njoku. During the drive, Aikman and Joe Buck discussed Cleveland’s problems this season.

“Yeah, he’s the reigning coach of the year,” Buck said of Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. “But that was a disappointing season. But these guys still play for him. They play defense, they play offense and they give Denver a game here tonight.”

“It’s a tough league,” Aikman replied. “We all talk about parity, but when it comes to your hometown team, no one wants to hear that. Kevin Stefanski is an outstanding football coach and he has proven it. Two-time Coach of the Year. What he did to this group last year to get them to the postseason – they started four quarterbacks, they were decimated by injuries. And I understand. This year wasn’t what people expected.”

Aikman then addressed Cleveland’s quarterback situation.

“But the albatross is Deshaun Watson,” he said. “If you go to Jameis Winston earlier in the year, does it look different? Because I would say that the defensive problems have at least a small part to do with how inept the offense was at moving the football.”

Troy Aikman says what many Browns fans have been saying for weeks about their disappointing season.

“This year wasn’t what people expected. But the albatross is Deshaun Watson. If you go to Jameis Winston earlier in the year, will it be different?” pic.twitter.com/KnwmoSJ02B

– Awful Announcement (@awfulanncreasing) December 3, 2024

Aikman asked the question again later in the game.

“I’ll come back to it,” he said. “You can’t help but wonder what this year would have looked like for Cleveland if Jameis had taken over from the start, or at least much earlier than he did. I know Deshaun Watson is going down with a torn Achilles tendon. But it was a real struggle to watch him offensively.”

“You can’t help but wonder what this year would have looked like for Cleveland if Jameis had taken over from the start, or at least much earlier than he did.”

“I know Deshaun Watson is going down with a torn Achilles tendon. But it was a real struggle to watch him offensively.” pic.twitter.com/g53nRU4w07

– Awful Announcement (@awfulanncreasing) December 3, 2024

It is reasonable to wonder.

Certainly Winston is not without his faults. He threw three interceptions Monday night, including two pick-sixes.

Could Troy Aikman beat Jameis Winston in a race?

“He runs a 5-flat 40. I think I think I could beat him…the next day, for sure. I tore my hamstring at Barry’s Bootcamp a year ago. And I’ll be damned. The thing still hasn’t healed.” pic.twitter.com/yq5Hv78y8U

– Awful Announcement (@awfulanncreasing) December 3, 2024

“ HERE IS A SELECTION. INTERCEPTED. That was how the night would end. McMillian, the other way around. TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS.”

Joe Buck on calling Ja’Quan McMillian’s (probably) game-winning pick-six. pic.twitter.com/RT5TEHJYuA

– Awful Announcement (@awfulanncreasing) December 3, 2024

During Monday’s game, Winston completed 61.3% of his passes for 1,763 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. For comparison, at the time of his injury, Watson had completed 63.4% of his passes for 1,148 yards with five touchdowns, three interceptions and a passer rating of 79.0.

Beyond just the numbers, Winston’s influence seems to filter through to the rest of the team. The Browns were 1-6 in Watson’s starts and are now 2-3 in Winston’s starts. Cleveland’s Jerry Jeudy had a strong game Monday, catching nine passes for 235 yards. That 235 was more than Watson had in any game this season.

Jerry Jeudy’s receiving yardage total tonight is higher than Deshaun Watson’s passing yards in any game he has played this season.

– Danny Cunningham (@RealDCunningham) December 3, 2024

Winston has his ups and downs. But he was better than Watson this season. In general, the Browns have followed suit.