Browns Do Just Enough Offensively, Now Sit At 4-2

As we were watching the first half of Sunday’s Browns-Ravens game, we were wondering how long the head coach Todd Monken could stay with Deshaun Watson at QB. It was that bad.

We wondered why the Browns weren’t running the football. They had a few decent gains, especially giving Jaleel McLaughlin the ball, and the passing game simply wasn’t doing anything. And Watson was doing was he seems to do a lot, that is, running himself into sacks.

But somehow, again, the fourth quarter came and the Browns’ offense came to life, scoring 10 points to win 13-10 and run their record to 4-2. We don’t know how sustainable this style of play is, but as always, we subscribe to the Bill Parcells’ theory of you are what your record says you are.

One thing that allows these fourth quarter comebacks is the Cleveland defense, which remains one of the best in the league. After spotting the Ravens a 10-0 advantage in the first quarter, our thought was the Browns needed to score next, certainly falling behind 17-0, would be too much to overcome.

But Mike Rutenberg’s unit rose to the occasion again, holding Baltimore (without Lamar Jackson) to 235 yards, limiting Derrick Henry to just 58 on the ground and forcing a fumble by Henry in the 4th quarter to set up the tying touchdown.

We keep bringing up how Carson Schwesinger gutted out a late season game a year ago vs. Pittsburgh on an ankle sprain, which was a display of grit and toughness often missing from the Browns in recent years. The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year was all over the field yesterday and forced the fumble by Henry in the last quarter.

He made a tremendous open field tackle on the elusive Tay Flowers earlier. He was a tremendous pick by Andrew Berry, and in addition to his tremendous play, he provides great leadership.

We also can’t say enough about the secondary led by Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell. Grant Delpit has been great too but missed most of the game with a concussion. And even without Myles Garrett, they still put pressure on the QB. Three more yesterday, all by different players. Maliek Collins (now 3.5 for the season), Quincy Williams, and Isaiah McGuire (now 3 on the year).

As we said before, the running game wasn’t as bad to us. McLaughlin had 41 yards on nine carries and made us think we might not be wrong in thinking the issue with the ground game just might be that Quinshon Judkins is either still hurt, or just not a big time NFL back.

And although we criticize him at times, kudos to Jerry Jeudy, who made two big fourth quarter catches and was the leading receiver with 4 catches for 69 yards. That doesn’t mean Denzel Boston shouldn’t be targeted more. Only five targets on Sunday, about half of what he should be getting.

Can this continue? It’s doubtful, but why not ride it as long as you can. The next three for the Browns are on the road, but the next week’s game vs. Tennessee is almost a must-win if Monken’s squad is to be considered a playoff contender.

That would have been crazy to think before the season, but here we are…

No Excuses. Browns Drop One They Should Have Won

We aren’t going to blame the weather, and we aren’t going to make excuses for the Cleveland Browns in losing Sunday to the New York Jets 17-12 in the Meadowlands.

The Jets are not a good football team. They came into the contest at 1-3 and were 3-14 last season, a worse regular season team than the Browns. So, after they won on Sunday, they are 5-17 since the beginning of last season and two of those wins are against Cleveland.

We don’t care about the conditions; this was a contest where the Browns were the better team and they lost. Good teams don’t allow that to happen, with the insinuation being Todd Monken’s squad isn’t a good football team.

Going into the season, we wrote about being concerned about the depth of the Browns and the lack of it showed up against the Jets. RT Tytus Howard was injured during the game which put Daward Jones out there.

That contributed to Deshaun Watson being sacked eight times, although to be fair, that number would be less if Watson would throw the ball away at times instead of trying to make something happen. That would seem to be a good trait, but he runs himself into a boatload of sacks.

And not having Mason Graham and Mike Hall at defensive tackle certainly didn’t help the defense, who outside of the first drive of the game, played pretty well, allowing less than 300 yards of total offense and forcing two turnovers.

Quincy Williams was all over the field and his fellow linebacker, Carson Schwesinger was excellent as usual. Both forced fumbles, the latter on a huge sack in the fourth quarter. And DT Maliek Collins had 1.5 sacks during the game.

The winning touchdown for the Jets was set up by a botched snap on a punt, giving New York a short field of 28 yards.

We know the Browns scored 20 or more points in their three wins, which means we have to address scoring just 10 and 12 points in the two losses. The biggest issue is the lack of a consistent running game. As a team, Cleveland averages just 3.7 yards per carry and if you take out Watson’s numbers (37 attempts for 167 yards), the average dips to just 3.4 per attempt.

That’s simply not good enough. Quinshon Judkins is getting just three yards per carry, yet the other running backs on the roster (Rocket Sanders and Jaleel McLaughlin) have just nine attempts.

Perhaps it’s the ineffective run blocking by the line, or a combination of that and just poor vision by the runners, but it’s not a good thing to have the QB be your best running threat.

On the other hand, when will the offensive coaches make getting the ball to Denzel Boston a priority? Through five games, the rookie has 16 receptions for a 20.6 average yards per catch. He had seven targets, the same number as Isaiah Bond (who dropped two passes) and Jerry Jeudy. That’s a head scratcher for sure.

By the way, TE Harold Fannin had just four targets. We aren’t geniuses but maybe try to get the ball to your best receivers more often and make that a priority.

Also, let’s not pin any flowers on Watson either. He had just 155 yards passing, the second time in three weeks that happened and although he had 205 in the season opener, a good bulk of that was in garbage time.

He’s been under the 200-yard threshold in 10 of his last 12 starts. Just sayin’

The Browns come home for a date with the first place Ravens (4-1) next Sunday with a chance to get back on top in the AFC North.

Again, it’s back on the coaches to clean up the mistakes and fix the problems, particularly on offense.

A Good Night On The Lakefront For The Browns

We figured a successful season for the Cleveland Browns this year would be around five or six victories. However, despite a brutal opening game blowout loss to Jacksonville, the Browns amazingly sit at 3-1 after a 27-24 win over Pittsburgh on Thursday night.

Many experts said Todd Monken’s squad could compete with competent play from the quarterback, and that was on display in this one as Deshaun Watson was excellent in the first half and finished with 24 completions in 33 throws for 268 yards and a TD toss to TE Harold Fannin.

The yardage was Watson’s third highest in his Browns’ career, and the most since 2023 when he threw for 289 in a 27-3 win over Tennessee. It is also the most points Cleveland has scored in a game he played since the 33-31 victory over Baltimore in ’23, the game he injured his shoulder.

The first half was a dominant display of football. After a long scoring drive by the Steelers on their first possession, the defense clamped down had held Pittsburgh to a mere field goal at the end of the half, while the offense scored three touchdowns and the Browns led 21-10 at the intermission.

Quinshon Judkins ran harder, and accounted for 96 yards from scrimmage, but 43 of them came catching 6 passes. However, in the third quarter, the running game started to get it going and gained 34 yards on a drive, but Watson fumbled on a read option to give the Steelers the ball and killed a chance to put the game away.

Early in the 4th quarter Watson threw an interception on a tipped ball, and Pittsburgh turned in a seven play, 65-yard drive to get back in the game.

We don’t want to give the impression the defense let them back in the game because overall they performed very well despite the loss of Mason Graham in the first half.

In last season’s penultimate game, Carson Schwesinger was injured against the Steelers, but stayed in the game and finished it, the result being a Browns’ win. Some thought Schwesinger should have come out since it was a meaningless game for Cleveland, but we loved it. He was showing leadership and toughness. If he could go, he was going to stay out there for his teammates.

We thought about that with Mike Hall Thursday night. Hall left the game in the first half with an apparent ankle injury. He left on a cart. But he came back in the second half and recorded a sack.

Did what Schwesinger did last December play a part here? Maybe not, but it shows the attitude of this defense and perhaps this team. Character and leadership mean something.

We also have to talk about the kicking game. Of course, Andre Szmyt made the game winning 56-yard field goal that likely would have been good from 70 yards, but Corey Bojorquez averaged 62.8 yards per punt, including an 81 yarder in the 4th quarter.

Szmyt is the most reliable field goal kicker the Browns have had since Phil Dawson, really should be considered as a solid bet to make anything from 60 yards and in.

We thought the Browns needed an experienced coach to replace Kevin Stefanski and Monken looks like we might be correct. The players seem to respect and like him (both are important) and he has restored Watson’s confidence in himself.

The 3-1 start is shocking to say the least. The tanking talk around town can cease.

Seeing Good Things In A Browns Victory

Last week, we said this would be a big week for Browns’ defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg because of the way his unit was gashed in the opening week loss to Jacksonville. We thought it was a test of a coaches’ ego, he wanted to play a certain way and would he adapt after the poor performance.

Good for the coach and head coach Todd Monken that they made adjustments, and the result was a 23-19 victory over Tampa Bay and raised their record to 1-1 on the young season. The Browns’ defense was better, causing the game’s only turnover, an interception by Myles Harden, and allowed the Buccaneers to cross the goal line just once.

As for the offense, Monken said he simplified things on that side of the ball, which is great coaching. After getting blown out in game one, there was a lot of improvement and that’s a good thing to see if you are a fan.

For all of the quarterback talk during the week and even prior to kickoff, Deshaun Watson played well, not tremendously, but well, and that’s not a criticism. He didn’t turn the ball over, was sacked just twice, keeping the negative plays to a minimum.

He mostly dinked and dunked, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, completing 24 of 30 throws for 238 yards, and two TDs. He completed only three passes for over 15 yards, and two of them were the scoring throws. He also led the team in rushing for the second straight week, which is not a good thing, but more on that later.

The running game was nonexistent, getting just 44 yards on 23 rushing attempts with Quinshon Judkins getting only 21 yards on 12 carries, with an early carry being his longest, that of nine yards.

We have our doubts on how long the offense can be effective with no running game to speak of and a QB who doesn’t seem to want to push the ball down the field. But it worked against Tampa and a win is most definitely a win.

One player who has caught our eye on offense is rookie WR Denzel Boston. We were disappointed when the Browns chose KC Concepcion in the first round because we thought the team needed a big wideout but were thrilled getting him in the second round. He’s caught 7 passes in the first two games for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

In the second half, Cleveland was faced with a third and seven (or so) situation and our thought was find Boston. Watson did for a key first down. Monken and offensive coordinator Travis Switzer should be trying to get the ball in his hands more often.

On the defensive side, last year’s first round pick, Mason Graham looks like a standout. He had a sack for the second week in a row, and the reigning defensive rookie of the year, Carson Schwesinger, had ten tackles and a big play on the final drive when he corralled Baker Mayfield on a key third down.

The best thing about the win is a week off from talking about tanking and replacing the QB. Watson needs to continue to play well, avoiding turnovers and not sacking himself. Can he do that? We will see.

Besides, tanking is stupid and doesn’t work.

Monken’s crew finally comes home to take on Carolina next Sunday. Hopefully, this game is something to build on.

Trading Garrett Just Another Typical Browns Move

Just when you think it can’t be any tougher to be a Cleveland Browns’ fan, they give you another reason to be irritated.

Of course, they will still monopolize the sports media in northeast Ohio because people in this area can’t help themselves. We don’t have a solution except to stop talking about them or stop buying tickets and merchandise, but as we know, both of the sports talk stations in the area are “Home of the Browns”, so there’s that.

The team traded the best defensive player in the history of the franchise in Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Verse, a first round pick in 2027, a second rounder in 2028, and a third round choice in ’29. Likely, all of those picks will be lower because unlike the Browns, the Rams are a successful organization. They actually win football games.

For the Browns and their ownership, it’s yet another excuse to not win in 2026. No one expects a playoff appearance after trading a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and a surefire Hall of Fame player.

Verse is a good player, getting 4.5 sacks as a rookie, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 and followed that up with another 7.5 sacks last season. He’ll be 26 years old this upcoming season and along with Carson Schwesinger, gives Cleveland the last two best rookie defenders.

But really, we are of the belief that trying to improve by dealing your best player, particularly a great player such as Garrett, is never a good idea. We know the “draft choices are everything” folks will disagree, but what are the odds that Verse or any of the draft picks involved becomes anywhere near the player Garrett is? Slim if not zero. How exactly does that make you better?

It always comes back to the Browns’ quarterback obsession. They are convinced the only way to get a great quarterback is to stink and get a high draft pick, even though if you look at the best QBs in the NFL, there aren’t many who came into the league that way.

They had the first pick in the draft in 2018 and took Baker Mayfield, who has been a solid starter and if entering his ninth year as the Browns’ starter. Oh, that’s right, they traded him after four seasons.

Let’s remember how many people spoke glowingly of the quarterbacks who were to be available in the 2026 draft, and in the end, only two were taken in the first round. What’s to say that won’t happen again in next spring’s draft?

And we would add, why not get to the point where you are a good QB away from being a playoff team and then go out and trade future picks to get the guy?

So, over the last six years, in order to find the QB they so desperately want, they have made probably the worst trade in NFL history and traded the best defender in Browns’ history. We have written about the other successful teams around the league and the path they’ve taken to contend for and win Super Bowls.

Find another story that mirrors the Browns.

As for the argument that the Browns had to deal Garrett because he didn’t want to play here, whose fault is that? The front office has put together mostly mediocre teams and in the past few seasons had a top of the league defense accompanied by an offense that couldn’t score more than 17 points per game.

Maybe the Browns will surprise people and contend for a playoff spot this year. A more likely scenario is they will come up with a new reason (we have a rookie QB?) for not being able to win in 2027.

Browns Need A Lot Of Help In Draft. Do They Have The Right Formula For Picking?

The NFL Draft is now less than three weeks away and as we do in northeast Ohio, there is obsession about who the Cleveland Browns will take in the selection process, but particularly what they will do with their two picks in the first round.

The draft obsessed fans and media alike would surely love a trade down because more picks!!! And to be fair, it would make sense if the organization really liked someone and were sure said player would be available say four or five picks later.

But, you can’t mess that up.

As stated before, we have no confidence in anything that happens in Berea, so until proven otherwise, we will assume whatever they do probably won’t work or will be done with the idea of winning three years from now.

Yes, we know last year’s draft looks to be very good, but time will tell, and if a baseball player hit .220 four years in a row, then hit .300 in a season, what would you predict he will hit next season?

The logical needs for the Browns would seem to be wide receiver and offensive line, but the Cleveland Browns are also a bad football team. They’ve won eight games over the last two seasons. To say if they only had a couple of good pass catchers and two solid offensive linemen, they would be Super Bowl contenders would seem insane.

What we are trying to say here is the Browns need talent, another draft like last year, where they bring in say, four quality starters (Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, Quinshon Judkins, and Harold Fannin Jr.) would be a good start to getting better.

We know the Browns have the best defensive player in the NFL in Myles Garrett (no, we don’t care if he skips OTAs), but if you can get a player like David Bailey, DE from Texas Tech, to pair with Garrett, it is something to think about.

Remember what former Browns (when they were good) executive Ernie Accorsi said. The two most important players on the field are quarterback and the guy who can get to the quarterback. Having a pair of edge rushers to terrorize opposing passers wouldn’t be the worst thing.

We also know the analytics people say not to draft a running back high, but let’s say you added Jim Brown to the Browns, you don’t think he would make a huge impact?

We aren’t saying Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame is the next Jim Brown, the greatest of them all, but let’s face it, the Cleveland offense struggles to score 17 points, so adding someone who will touch the ball 15-20 times per game is a bad thing?

A tandem of Love and Judkins would seem to work, no?

Getting a franchise left tackle would be a great get and so would a reliable wide receiver to help out Shedeur Sanders. Unfortunately, the problem is the people in charge who make the picks. Maybe GM Andrew Berry has another good draft and sets the foundation for future success.

Or maybe they dump half of this year’s picks in trade for picks in 2027 under the guise of getting their “franchise QB”. You never know with the Cleveland Browns.

Browns Address The Offensive Line. No Brainer.

Doing something that so obviously needs to be done isn’t something that deserves credit. For example, if the garbage is piling up in our house and we take it out, we don’t expect our wife to be effusive in praise.

Ignoring it looks real bad.

It’s akin to having the Brooklyn Nets calling the Cavs with a proposition that the Cavaliers give them a second-round pick for Jarrett Allen to facilitate the James Harden (ironic) deal. Even the worst GM says yes to that.

That’s the way we look at the Cleveland Browns’ opening salvo in the early stages of the off-season. They closed the season with no starting offensive linemen under contract for 2026, and GM Andrew Berry’s first moves where to get some linemen who should compete for starting jobs come training camp.

First, he traded for G/T Tytus Howard from the Houston Texans and signed him to a three-year contract. Then as free agency started, the Browns inked G Zion Johnson, formerly of the Los Angeles Chargers and C Elgton Jenkins from Green Bay, who was released.

Jenkins was a starter last season until his broke his leg, while Johnson started in 16 of the 17 games last year for the Chargers.

So now the Browns have three experienced starters on the offensive line, and still have Luke Wypler, who started five games at center for Cleveland after Ethan Pocic was injured.

Right now, you can project Wypler at center, Johnson and Jenkins at guard, and Howard at RT, leaving left tackle still up in the air.

We don’t know the ins and outs of offensive line play in football, but we do like what we hear about Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling, who is a left tackle, and is 6’7″, 315 pounds and is reported to be very athletic, and with long arms. Left tackle is a skill position in the NFL, and we would rather take a chance on athleticism.

Based on recent history, the Browns still need depth in this area, and they still have Dawand Jones, who has shown potential on the field, but has battled injuries in each of his three seasons in the pros, and they also resigned Teven Jenkins in the mix. Still, in addition to drafting a LT, we would also be looking for more depth on the line in the draft.

Cleveland also replaced LB Devin Bush, who signed with the Bears by signing Quincy Williams from the Jets. Williams played for new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg when he was in New York and Jacksonville.

We aren’t upset about the Bush departure. He signed with the Browns after being a first round pick for the Steelers, and he had some injury issues there. He blossomed last year, but he’s really had one very good season out of seven in the pros, and to pay him based on that one year? He might have been a product of Jim Schwartz’ defense and playing next to Carson Schwesinger.

We understand the Browns don’t think this way, but they still need a QB to compete or back up Shedeur Sanders. Thinking that guy is Deshaun Watson, six years removed from being a good NFL quarterback is kind of insane.

Good for the Browns’ front office. They did the logical thing. They shouldn’t be criticized for addressing the offensive line, but really, they shouldn’t be praised either.

What Browns Need And Don’t Need

It’s the silly season in the NFL, when free agency is a few weeks away and the draft is a couple months away. The media and fans start speculating about what teams can do to improve their rosters and become playoff contenders in 2026.

And of course, in the Browns’ monopolization of sports coverage in northeast Ohio, it carries a lot of conversation here as well.

We love the group who talks about the quarterback position and just staying the course for this year, having a competition with Shedeur Sanders and (dear lord) Deshaun Watson and they use the term “kick the can down the road” on the position until ’27.

To those folks, we say the Browns don’t need another reason to delay being competitive for another season, they have mastered the art of telling fans they will be good the following season. They pretty much do it every season. So, enough of that nonsense.

It is doubtful the Browns are going to use a high pick to draft another QB, but we would be willing to replace Dillon Gabriel with another passer picked in the mid to late rounds. And we would bring in another veteran as insurance to guard against injuries.

But we would get some offensive help, mainly offensive line and wide receivers (that’s obvious to everyone) and get a true measuring stick on Sanders this season. The rookie’s critics point to his stats, which were not as good as Gabriel’s, but in watching him play, we would like to see more. And Sanders deserves that chance.

We think any quarterback will be better with a solid running game, a better offensive line, and wide receivers who can get open. Again, maybe Sanders isn’t the guy, but he also showed something last year and has an ability to make big plays.

The other thing many fans and media pine for is a wide receiver, and they should. Jerry Jeudy has shown the things people in Denver said about him weren’t lies.

However, what a team that is trying to build a winner doesn’t need is a diva wide receiver. So, folks that want George Pickens via free agency or A.J. Brown via trade are perpetuating the Browns’ character issues.

They don’t need players with questionable attitudes; they need to build a winning culture.

We believe that is a weakness of Andrew Berry. he has not put a lot of stock in character and leadership. Maybe that’s changed with the drafting of Carson Schwesinger, who demonstrated it as a rookie, but the Browns need of change of attitude in their locker room.

That doesn’t mean no one on the roster has character or put winning above everything. Certainly, Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, Joel Bitonio, Grant Delpit, and others have that trait, but they need more of them.

And what they don’t need are guys who come in and worry about their numbers and aren’t happy after a win. Winning should be the great eraser. If a team win, everyone should be happy.

That’s something that people who have never played a team sport do not understand. That kind of attitude goes a long way and frankly, it is something the Browns have lacked for a long time.

Talent is important, no question about it, but talent plus character? That’s what winning teams have.

Browns Win, But Decide On Half Of A Change

Kevin Stefanski’s tenure as head coach of the Cleveland Browns ends on a two-game winning streak as the Browns defeated the Bengals 20-18 on Andre Szmyt’s game winning field goal.

It was fitting that it ended that way because in the season opener against Cincinnati, Szmyt missed an extra point and a potential game winning field goal. But the rookie kicker proved a lot of people, us included, wrong, making 24 of 27 field goals for the year and looking like the Browns have solved the kicker spot heading into next season.

Besides winning the game, there should be celebration for Myles Garrett breaking the single season sack record, getting his 23rd by getting Joe Burrow behind the line late in the fourth quarter.

Garrett should also get his second Defensive Player of the Year Award in three years prior to the Super Bowl. It’s a bit of a downer though that it came with a 5-12 team.

Shedeur Sanders was very pedestrian for most of the game; the Browns’ two touchdowns were both scored by the defense, but credit should be given where it is due, he did drive the team into position for the game winning kick.

However, the offense did produce only 200 yards for the contest, illustrating again why we felt the Browns needed to move on from the head coach. His offense was stale and unimaginative.

True, the offensive line is subpar, the receiving corps isn’t good, and the Browns used rookie quarterbacks for much of the year, but it became a struggle to put 17 points on the board each week.

Why Andrew Berry stays is a complete mystery here. Yes, we know about this past draft class, but when rookies don’t contribute, the mantra is always you have to wait a few years to truly judge a class. Why doesn’t it apply when they have productive rookie seasons.

We agree that Carson Schwesinger will be the Defensive Rookie of the Year and looks like he will be successful for a long time. And Mason Graham is a solid player. But let’s see how the other player’s progress.

And this still sticks with us, the two biggest areas of need for the Browns are the two spots Berry has had trouble finding talent: wide receiver and offensive line. Why does ownership think suddenly he will be able judge these spots accurately?

What the Browns need is a GM and head coach who feel the same about the way the game should be played, and also value leadership and character. We don’t think those latter traits are valued by Andrew Berry.

Maybe if you are already a winning team you can gamble on guys who have checkered pasts, but when you are trying to develop a winning culture, it starts with guys who can be leaders and play for the love of the game.

That’s another reason we like Schwesinger, who gutted out the Pittsburgh game when he could have easily went to the locker room. It was a meaningless game for Cleveland, but he played it right to the end.

So, a new coaching search begins. The ownership can talk about all kinds of things, but until they realize this, we fear the Browns will continue to flounder:

“The wise man knows what he doesn’t know”

The Winds Of Change Should Blow Through Berea This Week

Today, the Cleveland Browns close out another losing season against the Cincinnati Bengals, but the game will be anti-climactic compared to the 48 hours after the game.

Will the Browns move on from coach Kevin Stefanski or GM Andrew Berry or both? That’s the bigger story.

We have already offered the opinion both should go. It’s been six years and an accumulative record of 44-56 coming into the season finale. There have been two playoff appearances and one post-season win.

There has also been a 7-26 mark over the last two seasons.

If you compare this duo to everyone else who has run the franchise since 1999, they have a pretty good resume. Unfortunately, that isn’t how they should be graded. It’s the rest of the league the Browns have to compete with, not their mediocre past.

And yes, both have had success. Again, two playoff appearances. Two NFL Coach of the Year awards for Stefanski. We aren’t debating that he’s a solid football coach, and the players have respect for him. They continue to play hard. Probably because he has their back. He doesn’t call out players in the media, and they appreciate that.

But where is the coach who came out against Dallas in his first year and had Jarvis Landry passing to Odell Beckham? It seems that he has overcorrected last season’s turnover issue by basically eliminating any high-risk plays. Yes, we know he has rookies playing quarterback, more on that later.

As a result, the Browns have scored the second fewest points in the NFL over the past two seasons, ahead of only the Las Vegas Raiders. Scoring 20 points in game is a chore for this group. And as we point out after most games, looking around the league, it’s not that difficult.

We aren’t doubting Stefanski can go somewhere else, do a self-audit, and change some of the things that have put him in this situation.

As for Berry, yes, the 2025 draft class was excellent. Carson Schwesinger should be the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Harold Fannin looks like a very good player. Mason Graham is a foundation piece, and Quinshon Judkins appears to be a bell cow back.

And maybe, just maybe, Shedeur Sanders can be an NFL starting quarterback.

But one solid draft in six seasons doesn’t cut it. The Browns have a horrible offensive line situation and a bad wide receiver room.

That’s mainly because Berry has done a bad job identifying talent at those positions. He seemed obsessed with Jerry Jeudy for several years and eventually traded for him. That’s a whiff.

And despite a good draft, he mangled the QB position in the past 12 months. Drafting two rookies didn’t make sense. He traded for Kenny Pickett, a former first round pick, but he was injured in camp and traded away.

He signed Joe Flacco as a free agent and the Browns started him in the first four games, and when he was benched in favor of Dillon Gabriel, Berry traded him to a division rival (the division was still up for grabs, mind you) without the head coach seeming to know about it.

So, there was no experienced QB available to guide the rookies.

And don’t forget, the Browns had Tyler Huntley on the roster each of the last two seasons and let him go. Huntley won a big game for the Ravens last week.

Also, don’t forget that Berry is the GM of record on the whole Deshaun Watson debacle.

The Haslam family has proven they can have some stability in the front office after going through head coaches and GMs like people change underwear. That’s good. Now go out, hire a football man first and foremost, and let that man hire a new coach.

Or vice versa.