Cleveland Browns captains for 2019 season missing big name

The Cleveland Browns have named just three captains for the 2019 regular season. With one on each side of the ball, the Browns are in good hands in all three phases of the game.

This season, the Cleveland Browns will be rolling into their games with just three captains.

First reported by Browns beat reporter Daryl Ruiter, the Browns’ captains this year will be quarterback Baker Mayfield, linebacker Christian Kirksey, and special teamer and long snapper Charley Hughlett.

While all three are deserving, it’s worth noting that Joe Schobert, the linebacker who is playing on a contract year, is missing from the list.

That omission doesn’t seem as bad when you dig into the defensive captain who was chosen. As one of the longest-tenured Browns along with left guard Joel Bitonio, Christian Kirksey is likely to be the highest-ranking team captain this season.

Kirksey has been with the Browns since 2014, and was one of the lone bright spots of the 1-31 stretch the team had from 2016 to 2017. This could be Kirksey’s last year starting for the orange and brown, and the team is doing right by one of their veterans here.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Browns have crowned second-year quarterback Baker Mayfield as a team captain. Mayfield had a spectacular rookie season in 2018, throwing 27 touchdowns and setting a rookie record. Mayfield looks to have another great year, and could be an MVP candidate in 2019 and beyond.

Finally, long snapper Charley Hughlett. Hughlett has been with the Browns since late 2014 and has since signed a six-year extension with them. The 29-year-old is one of the highest-paid long snappers in the NFL, making 1.1 million dollars this season.

Hughlett will be instrumental as an anchor on the special teams unit, snapping to both a rookie kicker and a rookie punter.