When the 2025 season ended, the Cleveland Browns knew they needed to overhaul their offensive line. They did just that, getting five new starting offensive linemen via the draft, free agency, and the trade market.
The result has been an offensive line that’s very much a work in progress.
Cleveland has had some promising moments from the big guys up front, but they have also presented many of the same issues that made last year’s unit a nightmare. Those problems were on display on Sunday in the Browns’ overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints.
While Cleveland was one play away from winning the game, the team was a good offensive line away from dominating the game.
Browns offensive line will determine if Cleveland’s offense improves
The biggest problem for the line all season has been that they can’t consistently run block. The Browns’ inability to pick up yards on the ground cost the team a win against the Saints. There were three specific moments that could’ve changed the outcome of the game if Cleveland was a better run-blocking team.
The first moment was in the second quarter, when the Browns recovered a fumbled punt in the red zone. Cleveland worked its way to the 1-yard line for a 4th-and-goal attempt, and the designed run was a disaster from the snap.
The offensive line was pushed back, right guard Austin Barber pulled and bumped into quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who had to make an awkward handoff to running back Quinshon Judkins. Obviously, the play was poorly executed, but a stronger line finds a simple way to just punch the ball in and go up 10-3.
The second moment came in the third quarter, after Sanders connected with Denzel Boston on a 60-yard pass. Boston went out of bounds at the 3-yard line, so the best-case scenario would’ve been the offensive line paving the way for a touchdown on the next play.
Cleveland tried to do just that, but Judkins was tackled for a 2-yard loss. A quick sack and a pressure later, the Browns were on the 12 and had to settle for a field goal.
Despite those early struggles, Cleveland still had a late lead and a chance to put the game on ice. That brings us to the third moment, when the Browns got the ball with 4:17 left in the game and a four-point lead. Cleveland tried to turn to a four-minute offense and run the clock out, but the plan was quickly derailed.
The drive started with a promising 4-yard run for Judkins, followed by a 2-yard pickup for the running back. That set up a third-and-4, where Sanders scrambled for a 5-yard gain. With a new set of downs, the Browns tried to really flex their muscles, and nearly did, with Judkins picking up a 14-yard gain on first down.
Unfortunately, left guard Zion Johnson was called for holding, setting the team back to first-and-19. Three plays later, the Browns were punting, setting up the late-game theatrics that eventually led to a loss.
So from keeping 14 points off the board to not executing a four-minute offense to only picking up 95 rushing yards on 34 carries (2.8 average) against one of the league’s worst run defenses, it wasn’t a good day for the offensive line. If the Browns are going to get back to winning — and ever win a game convincingly — the offensive line will have to be significantly better.
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