Cleveland Browns bye week report cards: Offensive line
By Sam Penix
RT Jack Conklin: A
Jack Conklin was expected by many to get a contract larger than the one the Las Vegas Raiders gave Trent Brown, which was worth $66 million over four years; Conklin was younger and better than Brown was when he entered the open market. Conklin ended up signing with the Browns for $42 million over three years, which is a bargain given the level of player that he is. Conklin had a difficult time with T.J. Watt (who doesn’t?), but aside from that, he’s been very good in pass protection and gets the job done in the running game.
He may not be a top-tier tackle, but he’s also not being paid like those guys are. He’s exactly what Cleveland needed at RT, and his contract works out for both sides; the Browns get a reliable starter at a relatively low price, and Conklin will be able to hit the market again in 2023, where he’ll be able to cash in.
Chris Hubbard: A
Chris Hubbard signed a five-year $36.5 million deal with the Browns in 2018, and played well at RT in his first year with the team. 2019 was a different story, and he ended the season as one of the worst starters in the league. Rather than move on from him, as an out in his contract would have allowed, the Browns restructured his deal to reduce his cap hit over the next two seasons, and that decision has proven to be a shrewd one.
Hubbard has started one game at RT in relief of Conklin and has filled in at RG over the past four weeks for Teller. He had a rough outing against Pittsburgh, but aside from that, he’s been playing at a career-high level. He doesn’t allow the Browns to do as much in the run game as Teller does, but his pass protection has been very solid. Having a reliable backup who can fill multiple different roles is extremely valuable, and it goes to show the importance of coaching. Bill Callahan’s impact cannot be overstated, and Hubbard’s improvement is a perfect example of that.
Next. Cleveland Browns bye week report cards: Tight end. dark
General manager Andrew Berry made the offensive line his top priority during his first offseason, and it has paid off. The Browns have one of the NFL’s very best units, and it’s a huge reason why they’re on pace to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.