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5 biggest Cleveland Browns ‘what if’ moments since 2013

By Greg Newland

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 27: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 27: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 07: Quarterback Brian Hoyer #6 of the Cleveland Browns and tackle Joe Thomas #73 run onto the field during the player introductions against the Indianapolis Colts at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 7, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The Cleveland Browns can’t ever seem to catch a break. What if just one of these five scenarios would have gone in their favor?

The Cleveland Browns have seemed to be fighting bad luck for as long as I can remember. In a time the Browns needed a missed kick, a dropped pass, or even a backup quarterback to not throw for 500 yards against them, they just couldn’t catch a break.

This started in the late ’80s with the drive, followed by the fumble, and then the team being relocated to Baltimore and out of the league for three seasons. And while the drive and the fumble may be the most iconic “what if” moments in Cleveland Browns history, let’s take a dive into more recent history.

The five most painful “what if” moments since the 2013 season. I’m sure I’m missing some here but let’s check these moments out.

Cleveland Browns “what if” moment No. 5: Brian Hoyer doesn’t get hurt

The year was 2013 and the Cleveland Browns were coming into year two of the Brandon Weeden experiment at quarterback. After going 5-11 the year prior, there was some thought the team would be improved after the firing of Pat Shurmur.

It was an ugly 0-2 start, but then Weeden was benched for the Cleveland local Brian Hoyer to get his shot as the starting quarterback.

The team improved instantly and ripped off three straight wins including a Thursday Night game in Cleveland that was one of the best environments I have ever been a part of live. However, Hoyer would tear his ACL in the 37-24 win and would miss the rest of the season.

After getting the team to 3-2 and a lot of belief the team was finally turning the corner, the team would only win one more game that season and finish 4-12.

Would that Browns have continued to win if Hoyer didn’t get hurt? It’s hard to tell.

Hoyer couldn’t just stand in the pocket and sling it, but in the right offense, he was extremely effective. One thing is for certain, the team would have won more than one game after the Thursday Night victory if he was around.

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