5 indicators of a successful season for the Browns in 2022

No. 1 big indicator: Browns return to playoffs

I’m not predicting a Super Bowl appearance yet for the Browns this season, but I do believe that a return to the playoffs, after getting there in 2020 would be a strong indicator that this team was successful.

While they’re returning many players that have been here over the last several years including Nick Chubb, Denzel Ward, and Myles Garrett, they also have many new faces on the squad and that will take time to develop and gel.

Their biggest new face is Deshaun Watson and while he is the team’s future franchise quarterback, he may still have to sit out a majority of the season because of a suspension pending for some off-the-field issues.

With that being the backdrop to this upcoming season, it will take all three units working together to bring this last indicator to life. There’s certainly enough talent on this team like there has been in past seasons.

The focus on communication and working together will go a long way to deciding how this upcoming season plays out.

During Kevin Stefanski’s inaugural season as head coach, Cleveland made the playoffs and the team message all year was to play one game at a time, staying focused week to week. We’ve heard that message since, but it wasn’t as prevalent a year ago as the season went south quickly.

I’ve heard that type of focused message again from coaches and players in this training camp. Hopefully, that will carry into the regular season, and we’ll all be celebrating the Browns back in the playoffs.