The Cleveland Browns generated a magical season despite losing key players to the injury bug. They captured 11 wins, their first double-digit win season since 2020. They also earned an invitation to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Their season wouldn't continue so far, as they were blown out in the first round of the postseason by the upstart Houston Texans, 45-14. They didn't bring home a Lombardi Trophy to Cleveland but did bring home some individual accolades in the process. The awards included DPOY Myles Garrett, Comeback Player of the Year Joe Flacco, Assistant Coach of the Year Jim Schwartz, and Head Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski.
Their seasonal challenges began in Week 2 against the Steelers when their star ball carrier, Nick Chubb, was lost for the season to a knee injury. Injuries to two of their quarterbacks would follow up that key loss. Starting with Deshaun Watson in Weeks 4 and 10 due to a shoulder injury and Dorian Thompson-Robinson in Week 13 due to a concussion. By Week 11, The Browns signed Joe Flacco to the practice squad and would promote him to starting quarterback by Week 14. Flacco helped generate a magical season for the Browns, while the defense coordinated by Jim Schwartz became the first-ranked total defense in the NFL. With the absence of Nick Chubb, the passing game was heavily relied on and became stronger with the help of Pro Bowl pass catchers Amari Cooper and David Njoku.
The Browns will take another shot at a world title and a division title for the first time since 1989. Cleveland will try to continue their success by earning a playoff berth in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1985-89. This is possible for a team that returns with the number one-ranked defense of last year with additional veteran pieces and the return of Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb to generate power into the offense. New offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey comes from Buffalo, where he helped develop Josh Allen as his position coach from 2019-21 and then his offensive coordinator during 2022 and 2023. He should inject decisiveness and pure execution into the offensive scheme for the Cleveland Browns.
2024 Cleveland Browns
Coaching Staff and Front Office
- Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski (Fifth Year as Browns Head Coach)
- Offensive Coordinator: Ken Dorsey (First Year as Browns OC)
- Defensive Coordinator: Jim Schwartz (Second Year as Browns DC)
- Special Teams Coordinator: Bubba Ventrone (Second Year as Browns STC)
- Notable Assistant Coaches: Bill Musgrave (Senior Offensive Assistant), Duce Staley (Running Backs Coach), Andy Dickerson (Offensive Line Coach), Chad O'Shea (Wide Receivers Coach), Jason Tarver (Linebackers Coach), Brandon Lynch (Cornerbacks Coach)
- General Manager: Andrew Berry (Fifth Year as Browns GM)
Notable Additions
- Free Agency: Quinton Jefferson (DT, Jets), Jordan Hicks (LB, Vikings), Devin Bush (LB, Seahawks), D'Onta Foreman (RB, Bears), Nyheim Hines (RB, Bills), Jameis Winston (QB, Saints), Justin Hardee (DB, Jets)
- Draft: Mike Hall Jr. (DT, Ohio State), Zak Zinter (G, Michigan), Jamari Thrash (WR, Louisville), Nathaniel Watson (LB, Mississippi State)
- Trades: Jerry Jeudy (From Denver), Nick Harris (From Seattle)
Notable Subtractions
- Free Agency: Joe Flacco (QB, Colts), Anthony Walker (LB, Dolphins), Sione Takitaki (LB, Patriots), Kareem Hunt (RB, Free Agent), Marquise Goodwin (WR, Free Agent), Jakeem Grant (WR/KR, Free Agent)
- Trades: Cade York (To Washington)
- Releases: Tyler Huntley, Brian Allen
2023 Browns Offensive Team Ranks
- 23.3 Points Per Game (Tied for 10th)
- 335.9 Yards Per Game (16th)
- 217.2 Passing Yards and 118.6 Rushing Yards Per Game (19 and 12th)
- 31.62% Conversion Rate on Third Down (29th)
- 57.89 Red Zone Conversion Rate (13th)
- 37 Turnovers (32nd)
2023 Browns Defensive Team Ranks
- 21.3 Points Allowed Per Game (Tied for 13th)
- 270.2 Yards Allowed Per Game (1st)
- 164.7 Passing Yards and 105.5 Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game (1st and 11th)
- 29.13 Conversion Rate Allowed on Third Down (1st)
- 49 Sacks (6th)
- 25 Takeaways (6th)
The Passing Game
The massive trade for Deshaun Watson from the Texans two years ago has yet to pay full dividends. Deshaun spent two and a half seasons due to suspension before starting in his first season opener since 2020. While he played in 2023, he threw seven touchdowns to four interceptions in six starts while producing a 5-1 record. However, he lost an abundant amount of time due to an injury to his shoulder on his throwing arm. Veteran Jameis Winston should already make a great relief signal caller, but consistency from Deshaun Watson is what the organization demands the most.
That is what new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey is here for. He coordinated one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league with the Buffalo Bills during 2022 and for the first half of 2023. He was also the quarterback coach for the Carolina Panthers from 2013-17, where he helped Cam Newton develop into one of the most complete quarterbacks around, earning MVP honors for the 2015 season. Dorsey comes into the same building with Pro Bowl talent from every perimeter of an offense.
Amari Cooper, David Njoku, and the arrival of Jerry Jeudy should help Cleveland's offense expand with a revamped passing attack. Cooper and Njoku combined for 2,132 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023. Jerry Jeudy, on the verge of either breaking out or being noted as a first-round bust, has the skills to make big things happen. He has been mis-utilized in Denver's offense for the past four seasons and steps into an offense where he indeed becomes another go-to option in Ken Dorsey's offense. Still intact, one of the best o-lines in the league and a running game with or without Nick Chubb can be a good supporter for the passing game to explode.
Taking Care of Nick Chubb
Nick Chubb will be back, just not for the first four games. He is one of only two players on this roster with a gold jacket reserved for when they retire from the NFL; Myles Garrett is the other. Chubb has since recorded 48 rushing touchdowns, 6,511 rushing yards, and four Pro Bowl selections. He has put in the work of arguably the best running back in the game for the past six seasons. His impact on the team will definitely boost their chances of winning the AFC North.
Meanwhile, D'Onta Foreman, Nyheim Hines, and Jerome Ford are reliable insurance backs to keep the rushing attack intact. Foreman was a decent relief ball carrier for the Titans in 2021 when Derrick Henry had to miss some time due to injury. Hines is dynamic enough to gain yards on the ground and catch passes out of the backfield. Jerome Ford produced enough numbers to help balance out the offense, with over 800 yards of rushing and nine total touchdowns last year. The running back committee has veteran leadership and a diverse set of skills that can be utilized effectively.
They can help take some of Nick Chubb's load off and help him stay durable for sixty-minute ball games. It is a good idea for the Browns to avoid overusing him after suffering a second knee injury. His dominance when he comes back will certainly make the Browns an NFL force—a formidable contender for others to seriously prepare for.
Stopping the Run
As great as the defense was in defending the pass last year, it didn't do so well in defending the run and ranking. Last season, the Browns ranked eleventh in the league in run defense, allowing 15 rushing touchdowns while allowing opponents 4.3 yards per carry. Both of those latter figures set their defense at the bottom half of the league. Altogether, the Browns' defense ranked 13th in the league for total yards of offense allowed last season.
Jim Schwartz tends to play a wide-base defense. He would have each defender set up in a spread formation for each defender to be set up in one-on-one matchups. This defense of Jim Schwartz is meant to prevent pass rushers and defensive tackles from getting caught in double teams. While the linebackers and defensive backs can roam free and swarm to the ball without being blocked. This explains how Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah had a breakout season and had 20 tackles for loss.
The bad thing about running this kind of defense is the space it allows for opposing ball-carriers to run to. Lots of free real estate pops up, making the job easier for opposing offensive lines. It was apparent in the Week 8 game against the Seahawks, where the defense allowed 114 rushing yards out of the Seahawks' 362 total yards. The longest run, 45 yards by Kenneth Walker to the left, revealed each Seattle lineman quickly picking a man to block, leaving a hole for Walker to bust through. Jim Schwartz even admitted in an interview during training camp that they play a risky defense.
Myles Garrett
The Reigning DPOY will once again lead the charge for the Browns' defense. He is among the most marvelous football players the league has ever witnessed, with his overpowering strength and unparalleled athleticism. Garrett's impact on the Cleveland Browns is an injection boost of dominance for the entire team. That was evident in the Week 7 game against the Colts, where he had two sacks, a sack for safety, two forced fumbles, and a blocked field goal, helping the Browns come victorious 39-38. His presence benefited the rest of the defense in Week 9 against the Cardinals, earning one of the team's seven sacks and helping the defense earn the franchise's first shutout win since 2007 with a 32-0 win.
The Browns recorded the sixth-most sacks in the NFL last season with 49, and Myles Garrett had 14 of those, good for the seventh-most among players. Garrett also tied for the seventh-most tackles for loss in 2023 with 17. Jim Schwartz's defensive system enabled Myles Garrett to be utilized more than ever before. Garrett lined up nearly everywhere on the line of scrimmage and didn't stay on one side like he would in previous years. The method became beneficial for the rest of the defense.
As opposing offenses continue to focus their gameplan on neutralizing Myles Garrett, the pass rush will intend to add more pressure on the quarterback. Signing veterans like Quinton Jefferson and Maurice Hurst, drafting Mike Hall Jr. from Ohio State, and returning Za'Darius Smith, Shelby Harris, and Dalvin Tomlinson should help out in that department. Not only will sacks increase, but the run defense should also improve with the added beef inside the interior of the defensive line and the addition of veteran linebackers like Jordan Hicks and Devin Bush. The presence of Myles Garrett should take attention away from other pass rushers on the line and create more blitz opportunities.
The Bottom Line
The Cleveland Browns, without a doubt, play in Pro Football's most competitive division. For years, the AFC North has been a quartet of teams that emphasize their success on defense. Smashmouth football reigns supreme among the Browns, Bengals, Ravens, and Steelers. With the Bengals and Ravens already having franchise quarterbacks of their own and the Steelers signing Russell Wilson, the Browns intend to revamp their offense to match those teams on the scoreboard.
They certainly have the defense built to beat down on those offenses. They just need consistency in the offense in order to compete in the AFC North. Now that the division beholds the NFL's most feared running back and the NFL's most feared quarterback on the same team, Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. Returning is Cincinnati's Joe Burrow to bring back to life one of the NFL's most electrifying passing attacks. The Steelers have a three-headed monster in the backfield with Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Cordarrelle Patterson.
The Browns have their own running back committee, and their passing game doesn't have to turn into the greatest show on grass. The passing game just needs to gain first downs, move the chains, and avoid mistakes. Deshaun Watson hasn't been the Deshaun Watson we remember watching in Houston, but he doesn't have to be. He has everything he didn't have with the Texans: a strong running game, a superb offensive line, and more than just one legit pass catcher. Most of all, he has behind him one of the best coaching staff in the game today, headed by Kevin Stefanski. They can have an offense that can put up high-scoring games to avoid those slugfests and defensive struggles.
Defined Browns Strengths
- Pass defense led the NFL in nearly every stat category.
- Sack total of 49, 6th best in the league in 2023 is expected to be eclipsed due to more defensive line additions.
- Depth at the running back position is deep enough to strengthen the run game and to take the load off of Nick Chubb.
- Skilled pass catchers should continue to elevate the passing game.
- The offensive line remains one of the most elite units in the NFL.
Defined Browns Weaknesses
- Need for consistency at the quarterback position.
- Run defense needs tightening and take away space for runners to run free in.
- Jim Schwartz tends to run a kamikaze defensive scheme that is often risky resulting in big plays to happen against them.
Browns Seasonal Outlook
Record Ceiling: 12-5
Record Floor: 9-8
AFC North Finishing Position Prediction: 2nd
Team MVP: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Main Image via
Comments