Cleveland Browns: 5 major issues still needing to be addressed in 2022 offseason
By Randy Gurzi
![Nov 7, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals guard Quinton Spain (67) and Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) are separated during the second quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Nov 7, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals guard Quinton Spain (67) and Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) are separated during the second quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F17115167-850x560-0e0ed181adb92b9f567bbe48f05a76cef47d4b3e363575620a25c60d5c1121b4.jpg)
The Cleveland Browns have made some big moves this offseason but there are still a few needs that they have to address before the 2022 season kicks off
No team invested as much as the Cleveland Browns did this offseason in their offensive overhaul. After watching the passing game struggle throughout 2022, general manager Andrew Berry went out and made some moves — and took a huge gamble.
Cleveland added Amari Cooper at wide receiver and then traded for Deshaun Watson. As if the major asking price to acquire him from Houston wasn’t enough, they also added a fully-guaranteed $230 million contract.
While it’s hard to say they won’t be better — even protecting themselves from a looming Watson suspension with the addition of Jacoby Brissett — there are still some areas of concern to address.
Here, we look at the five biggest needs that Cleveland has to take care of before the 2022 season kicks off.
Cleveland Browns issue No. 5: The kicking game
Early on in the 2021 season, it seemed the Browns had their kicking game finally figured out. Chase McLaughlin was hitting nearly everything and had no misses heading into Week 7, going 9-of-9 in that span.
Then, things got rough and he was 6-of-12 from that point on. He finished 15-of-21 on the season but was brought back for the 2022 campaign. Re-signing McLaughlin made sense considering there weren’t many other options, but Cleveland can’t simply hand him the job.
Whether it’s a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent, the Browns have to bring in someone to push McLaughlin — and while they do have Chris Blewitt on the roster, he feels like more of a camp leg than a real threat.