Several changes will be needed for the Cleveland Browns this offseason if the team is going to get back to competing for a Super Bowl
If you’re a fan of the Cleveland Browns, there’s never a dull moment. That again has been the case this season. Despite the team not making it back to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1999, there are still stories and drama to keep all of us engaged in that annual “there’s always next year” mentality. This offseason there will be many decisions and changes to the team that will have all of us debating each other until we’re blue in the face.
This past week has been very engaging as Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has been firing back at local sports media personalities on social platforms accusing them of simply writing things that aren’t true to get clicks on their articles. Who would ever do that?
The fact is that Mayfield has been injured all season long and the team has struggled much of that time because he wasn’t very good and hurt the team by playing. His coach, Kevin Stefanski kept telling us all season long that Mayfield was healthy enough to go out and play on Sundays.
Obviously, there is a big disconnect between these two powerful personalities on the team. How it all plays out before we begin the next season is anyone’s guess.
It seems the biggest question right now is will Mayfield and Stefanski manage to work out their issues or will there be a change at the quarterback position before all is said and done?
When last year ended, and the Browns had made a run into the playoffs, the thought of the team struggling as they have this season was far from anyone’s minds. However, losing has a way of creating problems.
A similar season occurred for the Browns in 2019 after they had started showing signs of life in 2018. That 2019 season, got their one-and-done head coach Freddie Kitchens fired. That’s not believed to be the fate of Stefanski this offseason, but things need to be evaluated and changed going into the 2022 season if this squad is going to get back to the playoffs and a push to a Super Bowl.
Let’s tackle a few areas that must be addressed moving forward.
Cleveland Browns change No. 1: A Quarterback Review
Does Baker Mayfield stay and play out his fifth season with the team? He’s still on his rookie contract. The Browns organization hasn’t begun negotiating with Mayfield on a potential second contract. Has the team made up its mind?
If they have decided to let the quarterback play out the contract, then would they also be open to trying to move him in a trade if the right scenario presented itself? If Mayfield stays as it sits now, do the Browns then look to update their backup quarterback position?
Right now, Case Keenum has been an expensive No. 2 quarterback for the team. His contract for next season could cost the Browns up to $7.3 million. However, if he were released or traded before June 1st, the Browns would only be out $1.3 million.
Numerous quarterbacks around the NFL would be available to the team including Marcus Mariota and Jacoby Brissett. Both these players would be a much better deal for the team as their services would be far less pricey than Keenum’s deal.
This position on the team needs to be evaluated far more carefully as the organization considers what will help the most in getting this team to win regularly. Mayfield’s certainly had the time to show all of his talents over the last four seasons.
Despite, the injuries that Mayfield played through all year, the team kept putting him out there on the field because they felt he was their best chance at winning. That would then also, suggest the team wasn’t sold on Keenum. Something needs to give this offseason.
Cleveland Browns change No. 2: Upgrade in wide receivers
For the last few seasons, at least on paper, the Browns wide receiving group that included Odell Beckham Jr, Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Rashard Higgins was considered by many to be one of the best in the NFL. That, unfortunately, hasn’t been the case as it’s played out on the field. This season was particularly poor for the group.
OBJ forced his way off the team a couple of months ago. As for the others, they have all struggled. Landry currently has caught 46 passes for 495 yards and one touchdown. It will be his worst season in his eight NFL seasons.
Peoples-Jones was supposed to have an explosive second season. It hasn’t been bad but certainly not great. He has 31 receptions for 559 yards and three scores. Will that improvement continue into the next season?
The longest-tenured member of the Browns wide receiver crew, Rashard Higgins has had a down campaign as well. He had the best season of his career a year ago by gaining 599 yards and scoring four touchdowns. This year though, he’s returned to only catching 24 passes for 275 yards. He’s a free agent this offseason and may not be back.
With Higgins likely looking again to leave town and Landry’s expensive contract ($16.5 million) being the elephant in the room, there will likely be some changes in this group. For example, If the Browns release or trade Landry before June 1st, they’d only be out $1.5 million.
There are several very enticing picks potentially in the draft this year, that might catch the organization’s eye. The local products from Ohio State, including Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, will be there for drafting. Many free-agent wide receivers might be swayed to coming to Cleveland.
There are the expensive free agents like Chris Godwin from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that might look for a change. Then there are cheaper options such as Anthony Lazard from the Green Bay Packers that might make a move.
Cleveland Browns change No. 3: Strengthen the defense
The Browns defense was the most consistent part of the team as the year wrapped up. While the offense struggled to get out of their own way, the defense, which was questioned many times, especially early in the season set a nice tone as the year wore on.
Despite the offense’s shortcomings, players like Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney, Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome, MJ Stewert, and Jeremiah-Owusu Koramoah always came to play and helped keep the team in most games.
When one does something well, then it’s always a good idea to stick to those strengths and try to make them even better. The Browns defense is good now and with a few more added pieces, the unit could be great next season.
The team’s defensive tackles like Jordan Elliot, Malik McDowell, and Sheldon Day have all contributed this season. However, this position needs to keep getting better. Can they draft a few more players or find a free agent out there this offseason?
There are several players out there that might make a nice addition to the team like current Buffalo Bill Vernon Butler or Maliek Collins from the Houston Texans. Vernon has had a subpar couple of seasons with the Bills after having a career-best six sacks in the 2019 campaign when he played for the Carolina Panthers. Collins, who started his playing days in Dallas with the Cowboys has had a pretty solid career and might be a good addition to the Browns.
The linebacking group of players also could use some tuning up. Speed seems to be the name of the game and the Browns got a good linebacker in this last draft in Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah who has speed and an uncanny ability to find the ball and tackle.
Drafting another linebacker would be another good step in the right direction. There are also several linebackers becoming available in free agency. Jarrad Davis, who currently is playing for the New York Jets, has had a good career that originally started in 2017 with the Detroit Lions. His best season was in 2018 when combined for 100 tackles and six sacks.
Whoever they decide to target, Cleveland just needs to make sure they don’t stand pat at defense, Keep adding talent and build this unit into a huge strength.