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5 things that went wrong for the Cleveland Browns in 2019

By Elliot Kennel

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 29: Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam listens to general manager John Dorsey prior to a preseason game against the Detroit Lions during a preseason game at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 29: Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam listens to general manager John Dorsey prior to a preseason game against the Detroit Lions during a preseason game at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 08: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns jumps in the air during a stop in play while playing the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 08: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns jumps in the air during a stop in play while playing the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Megabucks for OBJ, Vernon, Richardson did not improve the team

The Browns added major payroll items in two separate trades with the New York Giants, which the Giants wound up with Kevin Zeitler, Jabrill Peppers and the 17th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Browns wound up with Odell Beckham, Jr. and Olivier Vernon.

As explained on the previous slide there is a discount involved because the Browns do not get charged for bonus money, but they are still gargantuan salaries. The Browns also signed tackle Sheldon Richardson, prying him loose from the Minnesota Vikings. Between the three players, they are on the hook for $42 million per year.

However, the team did not improve. Baker Mayfield’s passing stats went down after OBJ was added. We learned late in the season that OBJ needs surgery for a sports hernia, so it is impossible to blame him for having an off-year. Nevertheless, regardless of the reason, the passing game of the Browns was off this year, and it is hard to explain to the Haslam ownership why they spent $42 million to improve the team, but it did not.

After a while, that kind of money adds up and the team is simply not going to add new free agents. Giants general manager Dave Gettleman does not look smart right now, but two years from now his salary cap will be in much improved shape, and they are going to start to win a few games.

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