With the Cleveland Browns dropping the last two games, they now sit at 6-9 on the season, and a season once filled with expectations (before it started) will end next weekend at Cincinnati.

That means no playoffs once again.

And, because we live in Cleveland, Ohio, there is clamoring for head coach Freddie Kitchens to be fired.  Because, fans can’t get enough of the revolving door at the position.

Now, we have no idea if Kitchens will ever be a winning NFL coach, but we do think he should get an opportunity to learn from his mistakes in 2019.  We say this because we don’t know that all of the Browns’ problems should fall on the head coach.

Look, the time management decision at the end of the half is indefensible, and so was the comment that he was going to go for it on 4th and 1 from his own 28 yard line with a 6-0 lead after the ill-fated Kareem Hunt option pass.

However, what if Kitchens gets the same opportunity next Sunday and runs the ball to run out the half?  Then, he learned from his mistake/experience.

We understand the impatience.  The Browns returned to the NFL in 1999 and have made the playoffs once.  They haven’t had a winning season since 2007.  People want to see a winning football team.

Fans and media alike are clamoring for Ron Rivera, recently fired by the Carolina Panthers.  But Rivera spent nine seasons in Carolina, and had three winning seasons.  Is he the answer for sure?

Based on that record, we would say not.  Former Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy is also mentioned, and he at least has nine playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title on his resume.

However, his running attack has never been effective (yes, we know he had Aaron Rodgers), and the Browns’ best offensive weapon is Nick Chubb.

Our main point here is we, as fans, don’t really know who is to blame for this losing season.  It is just assumed that it’s the head coach, and that may not be fair.

It could be a disconnect between the offensive coordinator and the head coach.  It could be a more complicated offensive attack than some players can handle, and/or that offensive could be something that doesn’t play into the skill set of the quarterback.

Or it could be Mayfield is a passer who wants to know exactly where is receivers will be, and the receivers the Browns have like to free lance.

Of course, it could also be Kitchens trying to be too much of a friend to the players instead of their boss, or being stubborn in not doing what the front office wants to do.

The only people who really know what happened to the 2019 Cleveland Browns are in the building in Berea.  John Dorsey has been very quiet as this season progressed, and perhaps he is doing some self reflection as to what he did wrong in the off-season.

Again, we understand the frustration and lack of patience with the 2019 season, every Browns’ fan can’t wait for a playoff spot.

But you have to trust in the front office that was assembled.  Dorsey, Alonzo Highsmith, and Elliot Wolf have been around the game a long time.  So, if Kitchens is back next season, it’s because that trio wants him to be back.

And everyone should be okay with that.  Obviously, they know a little more about the reasons for another losing season than everyone else.

MW