Cleveland Browns attempting to temper expectations for 2019 season

The Cleveland Browns are dealing with the new expectations of being AFC North favorites, but John Dorsey is trying to temper those expectations.

The Cleveland Browns and general manager John Dorsey have built one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, and it has caught the attention of the rest of the league.

No longer are the Browns expected to be in the competition for the first overall pick in the draft, but are being viewed as a playoff contender. Instead of being expected to sit in the basement of the AFC North standings, they are now the favorites to win the division title.

But even though the rest of the country thinks highly of the Browns for 2019, Dorsey is doing his best to quiet the noise surrounding the team. During the Browns’ announcement of hosting the 2021 NFL Draft, Dorsey took the mic and told the crowd “don’t believe the hype,” according to The Athletic’s Zac Jackson (subscription).

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The high expectations for the Browns are a testament to Dorsey’s work as the team’s general manager. Since taking charge of the roster in December 2017, Dorsey has used the assets available to him to build one of the most exciting rosters in the NFL.

But despite having a team who could contend for the playoffs in 2019, Dorsey has spent the past couple of months trying to quiet the hype. Following the 2019 NFL Draft, Dorsey discussed why he hates talking about “hype” – via Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan.

"““Listen, it’s not real. Real is when you go to training camp. Real is when you finally get the guys in pads. Real is those guys in that locker room setting those goals because we have some guys now that can set goals and expectations for those guys in the locker room because ultimately, who are the Cleveland Browns, but those guys in that locker room.” – Ruiter, 92.3 The Fan"

But Dorsey is not the only high-ranking member of the Browns organization who has attempted to quiet the noise around the team. Head coach Freddie Kitchens had to talk with rookie cornerback Greedy Williams after Williams said they will be playing in the next Super Bowl. Kitchens said they are “not in the prediction business” and believes Williams would not make another prediction like that.

Both Kitchens and Dorsey are doing their best trying to temper the expectations to avoid having the season fall apart before it even starts. They both understand they need to prove it on the field before they can be discussed as one of the best teams in the league.

With a roster as talented as Cleveland’s, it is going to be hard for Dorsey and Kitchens to control the expectations outside of the building. But all that matters is if they can control the expectations in the locker room.