5 biggest challenges awaiting the Cleveland Browns in 2021

4. Staying healthy

Health is an issue for all 32 teams, but the Browns have made the decision (whether smart or otherwise) to pin their Super Bowl hopes on some injury-prone players like Odell Beckham Jr. and Jadeveon Clowney. Other less than durable players who will be counted on include Takk McKinley, Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome, Greedy Williams, and Grant Delpit.

If Beckham goes down, the offense becomes exponentially less explosive, and Beckham’s field-stretching ability can’t be replaced by anyone else on the roster, not even rookie speedster Anthony Schwartz. If that happens, a repeat of the divisional-round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs could end up happening, regardless of how well Mayfield plays.

Losing any of the aforementioned defenders would hurt, but the Browns have enough talent and depth on defense to cover for them. It’s a pretty safe bet that Clowney will miss time, and Ward has missed at least three games in each of his three pro seasons.

COVID-19 should hopefully not be nearly as big of an issue this season as it was last, so a focus must be placed on reducing the risk of physical ailments. They are bound to happen, so hopefully, they won’t be serious.

Editor’s note: The author of this article made sure to knock on wood after writing the previous paragraphs.

Editor’s note: The previous editor’s note was in fact written by the author, not by the editor.