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Cleveland Browns: A baseball-style rebuild begins in next phase

By Joel W. Cade

Aug 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, right, talks with executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown during pre-game against the Atlanta Falcons at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, right, talks with executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown during pre-game against the Atlanta Falcons at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cleveland Browns have been rebuilding since 1999. What makes this plan any different and why would this one actually work?

In 2016, the Cleveland Browns embarked on an ambitious rebuilding project, the likes of which has never been attempted in the National Football League. Heading up this project is longtime baseball executive and famed Moneyball protagonist, Paul DePodesta. One year has passed since the start of this project. The question must be asked, how is the rebuild progressing?

The Browns face the daunting task of tearing down and rebuilding an NFL franchise without a template. Nobody has ever tried a rebuild of this magnitude with an NFL team. Thus, Paul DePodesta, now Browns Chief Strategy Officer, seems to have fallen back on his baseball roots for inspiration. The DePodesta-led Browns are rebuilding on the model used by the Chicago Cubs.

In 2011, the Chicago Cubs began a rebuilding process under President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein. Their goal was to create a sustainable long-term winning organization. To accomplish the task, Epstein and the Cubs had to take a long-term view of organization building. To that end, they formulated a vision and plan for the entire organization. After the plan was formulated, they acted decisively to accomplish the plan.

In the same way, the Browns have formulated a vision for what the Browns organization will be. Last offseason, DePodesta and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown began to act decisively to make that vision a reality. The goal was the same, create a long-term sustainable winning organization.

The Cubs rebuild put them in position to win the 2016 World Series. The Browns are at the beginning of their rebuilding project. So far, the rebuild has left the Browns barren of talent and several top draft choices. The Cubs’ success should provide hope to a Browns fan base that is reeling from a 1-15 season.

How did the Cubs pull it off? What can their success mean for the Browns?

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