The Jameis Winston experience, for better or for worse, seems over in Cleveland.
The Browns are reportedly planning on starting Dorian Thompson-Robinson in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Cleveland Browns reporter Brad Stainbrook. This marks Thompson-Robinson's first start of the season, and will be some of his only meaningful minutes since his Week 7 performance in relief of an injured Deshaun Watson.
Winston had two interceptions against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15 that felt completely avoidable - one was into double coverage and into the end zone for Elijah Moore. He looked lost for the first time all season, and it felt like it was time to make a change. According to Stainbrook, that change is here.
Read more: Kevin Stefanski hints at change at starting QB after Week 15 loss to Chiefs
Thompson-Robinson, a second year QB out of UCLA, has not gotten much opportunity to develop as a starter with the Browns. That's because the team has been laser focused on getting as much value out of Watson as possible, and when that hasn't worked, getting value out of their second string veteran quarterbacks.
Last season, it worked out for Cleveland as Joe Flacco carried them to an 11-6 record and a postseason appearance. This season, it all crashed down with both Winston unable to dig the Browns out of the hole created by Watson and unable to overcome his demons that come in the form of excessive and untimely turnovers.
It's unclear how Thompson-Robinson is supposed to right the ship that sank a long time ago, but it's safe to assume the Browns are just looking to evaluate what they have in their sophomore QB who has never really started in earnest for the team. They should start him for the rest of the season to truly test him with in-game action and figure out if he's worth bringing back next season.
What is concerning, though, is the fact that receivers like Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, and Cedric Tillman had all been thriving with Winston under center. It stings to see their opportunity to keep getting better throughout the end of the season potentially come to an end, but it's necessary to evaluate Thompson-Robinson when those three are already clearly good pieces to the puzzle.
The Bengals defense isn't great this season, so Thompson-Robinson should have a somewhat soft landing into the starting role in Week 16. Same goes for Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins and Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens. One thing that's abundantly clear, though - the tank is on.