4 Burning Browns Questions As The New League Year Officially Begins
It's been an active two days for the Cleveland Browns during the NFL's legal tampering window and now that the start of the new league year is officially here all the team's transactions can become official. General manager Andrew Berry focused his attention on retaining several key members of the roster that helped the Browns reach the playoffs in 2023, but there' still plenty of work to do. Let's answer four burning Browns questions to open up the 2024 league year!
Why Jameis Winston over Joe Flacco?
I understand this is move was a tough pill to swallow for many fans. It's rare that a player thrust themselves into the hearts of Browns fans the way Flacco did in 2023. His story, which everyone knows at this point, was remarkable. Admittedly, once Jacoby Brissett signed with New England I was under the impression that a Flacco reunion was the likely outcome based on my understanding of the situation at The Combine. From the sounds of it, Flacco was never even presented with an offer from Cleveland, according to his agent.
That said, as Winston emerge as a realistic option for the Browns they decided to pivot and I can understand why. First and foremost, he and quarterback Deshaun Watson have a preexisting relationship and this team is all in on making sure Watson is comfortable. Secondly, Winston is younger than Flacco with the potential for a little more upside and sustainable success should he need to fill in at any point. Flacco's run was magical but it definitely felt like lightening in a bottle for a 39-year old.
Third, and maybe most importantly, Winston is a better fit for the offense the Browns are hoping to build under new OC Ken Dorsey. Where Flacco fit well with Kevin Stefanski's west coast system, Winston can do more of the things Dorsey wants to do. None of that may help many fans come to terms with the move, but it's flatly the reality of the situation.
How does Jerry Jeudy fit into the Browns new offense?
First and foremost, the addition of Jeudy means a true embracing of more 11-personnel. Stefanski has always utilized a lot of bigger packages with multiple tight ends, pseudo full backs or running backs. With three legitimate receiving threats in Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore and Jeudy, you're going to see a lot more focus on pushing the ball downfield, and rightfully so.
Otherwise, Jeudy's reputation as a burner proceeds him. He can get over the top on teams, which is something the Browns have consistently lacked the past two seasons. The biggest concern for him is whether or not he'll catch the ball. Drops are an issue that has plagued him throughout his first four years in the league.
Should we anticipate any other big moves from the Browns this offseason?
I've been saying all along that given the state of the Browns from a salary cap standpoint, it was unlikely Berry was going to be a big spender for any top flight free agents on the market. The cap can be manipulated a lot of different ways but other teams had way more resources to outbid the Browns. A name like Christian Wilkins, for example, was just never going to end up in Cleveland.
Aside from the trade for Jeudy, the Browns offseason to this point has been about retention, and coming off of an injury riddled campaign that still somehow ended in a postseason berth that's okay. Now, that said, Berry works in mysterious ways. Za'Darius Smith was a late offseason edition last May via trade. I could see him adding to the roster that way throughout the offseason. Never say never, but I think most of the moves you've seen to this point make up the bulk of the Browns offseason plans.
Could the Browns pursue Mike Williams, who was just released by the Chargers today?
Like I said, never say never. Cleveland was linked to Williams via a potential trade before legal tampering began/the new league year opened up. Now that he's readily available as a free agent I'm sure it peaks Berry's interest enough to reach out. Coming off an ACL tear the 29-year-old could be had at a pretty reasonable price too.
There is also the natural connection between Williams and Watson considering the two went to Clemson together and won a National Championship together in 2016. Watson would probably relish an opportunity to reunite with a former teammate and the Browns could add even more depth to their WR room, even after acquiring Jeudy.
