For the second time in four years, the Cleveland Browns won 11 games and made the postseason. This time, however, they were able to do so despite starting five different quarterbacks. They dealt with more than just multiple QBs as one injury after another slowed the team down. Cleveland was forced to turn to their bench often and each time the "next man up" delivered.
Now gearing up for the 2024 season, Cleveland has high expectations once again. They look to return to the playoffs and expect to make a run with a healthy Deshaun Watson. As long as he performs up to an average level, this team is built to do exactly that. Of course, some factors could pour cold water on those hopes, including these four nightmare scenarios.
4. Jedrick Wills, Jr. fails to hold up at LT
Jedrick Wills, Jr. is the first player Andrew Berry ever selected as the Cleveland general manager. The Alabama product was expected to fill some impressive shoes as the Browns were still searching for their long-term answer at left tackle following the retirement of Joe Thomas.
As a rookie, Wills fared well which was impressive since he converted from a right tackle. Since then, however, he's struggled. Wills has battled nagging injuries and inconsistent play. He finally started to show improvement in 2023 but was sent to the IR after just eight games.
Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Wills is once again the unquestioned starter. The coaching staff has once again put their faith in him which is concerning. If the fifth-year pro fails to live up to their expectations, it could be a nightmare for this offense — especially Deshaun Watson who never seemed comfortable in the pocket last year.
3. Nick Chubb doesn't look like Nick Chubb upon return
When Cleveland decided to sign Deshaun Watson to a $230 million, fully guaranteed contract, fans were concerned about their commitment to Nick Chubb. The star running back was the motor that moved the offense over the past five seasons but it was clear head coach Kevin Stefanski wanted to open up the passing game.
Cleveland's coaching staff assured anyone who would listen that the offense will still feature plenty of Nick Chubb. Former running back coach Stump Mitchell even said he felt Chubb could average more than 6.0 yards per carry in their revamped offense.
Sadly, we only saw six quarters with Chubb active last year but he was doing exactly what Mitchell said he would. Chubb had 170 yards on 28 rushing attempts, which is an average of 6.1 yards per attempt. He was injured in the second half of their Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers following a low hit from Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Chubb needed two surgeries since both his ACL and MCL were torn and the expectation is that he will return "at some point" in 2024. The conservative approach makes sense and the Browns even protected themselves financially by re-working Chubb's contract.
Having said that, Chubb only agreed to the new deal since there's a risk he won't be the same player we remember. Andrew Berry said he would never bet against Chubb, but at the same time, running backs typically decline in their late 20s. The Cleveland back is going to be 29 in December and is coming off his second major knee surgery — to the same knee.
While at Georgia, Chubb bounced back and was better than ever. Cleveland will be thrilled if he's just the same player we saw in 2023 but this nightmare scenario is that he proves to be human and slows down. If so, the offense will lean heavily on D'Onta Foreman, which isn't terrible. But it's also not the same as leaning on No. 24.
2. Latest WR additions don't pan out
Andrew Berry has done a remarkable job as the general manager for the Cleveland Browns but there's one area where he's struggled. Outside of Amari Cooper, Berry has been abysmal regarding wide receiver additions.
He selected Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz, David Bell, Michael Woods II, and Cedric Tillman in the draft. DPJ had a strong two-year run in 2021 and 2022 but was traded away in 2023 following a rough start to the season. Schwartz was supposed to be a deep threat but he struggled to catch the ball and was released after two years.
Bell is entering his third season and might not make the team while Tillman is coming off an inconsistent rookie campaign that saw him catch 21 passes for 224 yards with no touchdowns.
Berry has been quiet in free agency but struck out with Jakeem Grant and Marquise Goodwin. Blood clots in his lungs and legs cost Goodwin his training camp but his impact was minimal when he did play. Grant, however, was supposed to be their primary return man — while being sprinkled in on offense — but never took a snap in the regular season due to back-to-back season-ending injuries.
This year, Cleveland has two more additions to the receiving corps. Jerry Jeudy was added in a trade with the Denver Broncos and Jamari Thrash was a fifth-round selection out of Louisville. Thrash has looked solid in minicamp and Jeudy signed a three-year extension. Cleveland is hoping for the best with each of them but this nightmare scenario is that they once again strike out on additions to the receiving corps.
Deshaun Watson needs to improve his performance and that will be tough to do if the wideouts beyond Cooper don't step up their game.
1. The injury bug sticks around again
Nothing hampered the Browns in 2023 quite like injuries. They sent some of their top players to the IR, including Nick Chubb, Deshaun Watson, Grant Delpit, Jack Conklin, and Dawand Jones. Despite the losses, they continued to find ways to win games. As impressive as their 11-6 record was, it wasn't realistic to believe they were winning it all with Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback.
Entering 2024, most of their star players are ready to return. Watson has been throwing the ball well, leading to another offseason of "zip watch," and even had his first session open to the media. Nick Chubb, however, is still recovering — as mentioned previously.
As long as they stay healthy, there's no reason to believe this team won't be in the playoff mix once again. They should also be considered threats to go deep in the postseason.
Cleveland had the No. 1 defense in the league in 2023 and returns the majority of their starters. The only exception is at linebacker where Jordan Hicks and Devin Bush replace Anthony Walker and Sione Takiki. They shouldn't be worse there and in fact, an argument could be made that they improved.
The offense is also returning all their starters, while addingJerry Jeudy to the mix. At this point, the Browns should be a favorite in the AFC — if they stay healthy. That's been an issue for them for several years now and the No. 1 nightmare scenario in 2024 is having that injury bug stick around for one more season.