Cleveland Browns: 4 scapegoats if things go wrong for team in 2022
By John Suchan
Cleveland Browns scapegoat No. 2: The front office
Jimmy and Dee Haslam, the owners of the Browns certainly made a huge commitment when they agreed to trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson and gave him $230 million. That move will forever define the Haslam’s story as the Browns move forward in time.
It was certainly a bold move and could pay off with Cleveland making it to a Super Bowl for the first time in their history. It could also go the other way and be another example of the blunders that this team has showcased over the years especially since the Haslams have been in charge.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry will also be another scapegoat this season if things go south fast. While the front office approach to running this team has much to do with analytics, fans aren’t going to accept more mediocrity and another year wasted in trying to win a Super Bowl.
While the team has made some good decisions on a few draft picks and free agent acquisitions they’ve also missed on several. Berry drafted cornerback Greg Newsome II and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu Koramoah a year ago and both look like great picks, but Berry is also responsible for drafting Jordan Elliott back in 2020 and linebacker Tony Fields last year and both could be cut from the team before the season gets started.
Because Berry portrays this steady, patient, and smart character to the rest of the world we’re supposed to believe all of his draft picks and free agent signees are all going to be great too, but that portrayal won’t matter much if the team wins five games this upcoming season.