5 Cleveland Browns who could take a step back in 2021
By Sam Penix
4. J.C. Tretter
The NFLPA president has been one of the NFL’s very best centers since signing with Cleveland four seasons ago, though he rarely gets the credit he deserves. There are few players in the league tougher than Tretter, as he’s played through countless injuries yet has never missed a snap for the Browns. He’s an elite pass protector and Kevin Stefanski’s Kubiak/Shanahan wide zone scheme suits him well as a run blocker.
He’s an excellent leader and is respected by his teammates and opponents alike. Yet, Tretter’s run with the team will come to an end at some point. Cleveland spent a fifth-round pick on Nick Harris in 2020, who is a tailor-made scheme fit. He struggled in relief at guard, but his size deficiency should be less of an issue at center.
Harris, or perhaps a draft pick in 2022, is the future for the Browns. Tretter is now 30 years old, and his body can’t hold up forever, especially with the mileage and beating it’s taking over the past few years. Considering the injury issues he had with the Green Bay Packers, it’s remarkable that he’s been able to hold up for this long. Hopefully, he can give the team at least one more year of strong, healthy play.