Cleveland Browns: Offseason Panic Mode 2021 Edition
The Cleveland Browns had one of the best turnaround seasons in a long time. Having made the playoffs in the first time in what seems like forever you could already call their season a victory. Even if they didn’t win the Super Bowl, fans have to be happy with how their season ended. However, given a fantastic year, there’s still plenty to be in panic mode about this offseason.
Skeptical Free Agents
We’ve seen a semi turn around for the Browns before. From 2003-2006 they’d win just 19 out of 64 games (.296%). In 2007 they’d go on to win 10 games but would miss the playoffs by a tie-breaker for the wildcard spot. From then on out they wouldn’t top 7 wins until last season.
Cleveland has been the spot where NFL careers went to die. It’s going to take more than a bunch of money, and one good run, to make high-priced free agents want to sign there. If Cleveland wants to be a major player in free agency, they’ll need to string together multiple winning seasons.
Doctor Jeckyl/Mr. Mayfield
Baker Mayfield proved to be a franchise quarterback one week and struggled others. But it’s not all terrible for Mayfield. He came off a season where the Browns looked like contenders. Baker took care of the football throwing 26 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions but relied heavily on the run game. Keeping opposing offenses off the field and a solid defense won more games than the young QB.
But it’s Cleveland, they should be happy with his 3500 yards and a 3 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio. Except that was the downside of their season. They needed a quarterback who could balance out the run game with an explosive passing attack.
MORE NFL: Washington Football Team: Offseason Panic Mode
Skeptical Teammates
Another challenge the Browns have to face is just how committed to the team are their current athletes. While a lot of players might be professionals and play their backside off because it’s their job, how many of them want to be there? How committed are they to actually turning the team around or are they just playing for their shot at getting out of Cleveland? It’s not a personal attack on the team, but the organization has never been consistent contenders and the whole league knows it. If the team falls back into a slump will the playmakers who are there continue to come back when their contracts are up?
Run First Offense
The biggest question mark for the Browns is how they’ll approach their receiving unit. With the heavy investment into the run game, just how much money will they cough up to keep their passing stars intact? There are rumors that Odell Beckham Jr has played his last down as a Brown and will be traded. Jarvis Landry could be a cap casualty as well. While the Browns could use the star power from both receivers, they’re in a good position to pay their running backs and draft replacements in the receiver room.
Cleveland might have just benefited from a strong season, but they’re still a year or two from catching up with the rest of the powerhouse AFC teams, especially if they regress next season. Browns fans can celebrate their 2020 season but will have to prove they belong all over again in 2021.
Rick ODonnell aka Caveman Rick has many years covering the Miami Dolphins, Sports, and all sorts of movies and television.
