Cleveland Browns 2020 offseason will be full of challenges

Kevin Stefanski discusses the Cleveland Browns virtual offseason

The Cleveland Browns will certainly have an uphill challenge for the 2020 season with still so many questions. It is still unclear if the season will start on time (tentative training camp on July 28), how many preseason games the team will play, and if fans will be in the stands. With an uptick in COVID-19 cases, it has become less and less clear.

As the virtual offseason wraps up, first-year head coach Kevin Stefanski continues to cement he was the right guy. In a press conference on Thursday, the most common word was “pivot”. Stefanski continues to stress that he is prepared for anything and will adjust anyway the league goes.

A key point mentioned by Stefanski was the rules will be the same for all 32 teams. What a refreshing sound bite, that there will be no excuses for the outcome of the 2020 season.

No doubt the biggest challenge for the Browns will be the gelling of the team. With so many young players and first-year players that are expected to be huge contributors, fewer practice reps and no face to face meetings are going to be tough. The Browns will have three new starters on offense and four or possibly five new starters on defense.  It is important for Stefanski to bring the team together quickly once they are allowed in the same facility.

Stefanski dodged answering the question, “how do you split up carries?” Having stars like Odell Beckham, Austin Hooper, Jarvis Landry, Nick Chubb, and Kareem Hunt is a huge benefit, but at times can cause stress to keep everyone happy. While Stefanski didn’t answer the question, you could tell he knew the answer and just didn’t want to share with the press.

The most positive news from the press conference was a health update on Beckham. Stefanski shared that he is moving well and will be 100 percent healthy for the start of camp. Landry also had surgery this offseason that was much more complicated but does appear to be moving well. Landry is expected to be ready by the season opener but will be limited at the beginning of camp.

Stefanski was quick to reassure fans that the team will be mentally prepared for the 2020 season, reminiscing the 2011 lockout where there were no offseason meetings. Although it has been virtual, Stefanski is confident that the meetings have been successful, and the young players have learned a lot.

Stefanski ended the call stating he was confident players are grasping the new system through a series of testing. The players have picked it up in the classroom but did mention they now have to put it together on the field.

While it is important to not count your chickens before they hatch, Stefanski continues to prove he is the real deal. A well-coached team is something Browns fans have been dreaming about since 1999.