To use a famous Brady Bunch expression, “Offense! Offense! Offense!” Why is that side of the ball always getting the attention?
Unfortunately, even after a good amount of training camp, the Cleveland Browns quarterback situation isn’t any further along
than on Day 1, and some drama kicked up on Day 10.RELATED: 3 SECRET SUPERSTARS ON THE 2026 ROSTER
And with all that flux, everybody that covers pro football wants to see if the three-time Pro Bowler Deshaun Watson can rekindle his skills, or if the young
Shedeur Sanders is actually the darling of the league and everyone but the Browns know about it.
And the media has certainly taken notice. Recently, The Athletic ranked the league’s Top-35 quarterbacks. Yes, there are only 32 clubs, but a few teams have two guys competing for the starting role, like Cleveland. The publication placed QBs into four tiers. Both Watson and Sanders were ranked in the bottom tier, rated #31 and #35, respectively.
So, we will see once the pads come on and big boy football begins.
The defense, in case anybody wants to know, has really developed. They were ranked #4 last year. Yes, Jim Schwartz has left the building, and we are very sad about that. Hopefully, the new DC, Mike Rutenberg, will keep the scheme intact and pretty much allow the defense to do what it knows to do.
There are some new faces and departed players. Right off, EDGE rusher Myles Garrett and LB Devin Bush are gone (insert sad face emoji). LB Quincy Williams will step in for LB Mohomoud Diabate. Also missing is starting DT Shelby Harris. Backups that departed include DE Cameron Thomas, S Rayshawn Jenkins, LB Jerome Baker, DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, CB Cameron Mitchell, and S Damontae Kazee.
The Cleveland Browns have expectations of not being one of the league’s worst clubs for a second consecutive year. GM Andrew Berry worked overtime this offseason to address the weak spots and bring in new players to replace those who weren’t getting it done. The focus will then be on which players will fit best at all positions.
There are many good-to-great players on this year’s roster, and still some problem areas. Hopefully the new backup players will become dependable assets.
But there is one player on defense who can change the narrative and perhaps be the difference in games, and is this year’s defensive “X-factor” player:
CB Tyson Campbell
While most would point to the defensive line position as being the key component to success this year, the fact is, CB Tyson Campbell brought something new to the Browns’ cornerback room last year: and that is a second guy who can play man successfully.
With the Browns, we all know the experience and leadership that CB Denzel Ward emits. That is why the team inked him to a two-year extension worth a total of $62.2 million. The new deal makes Ward the highest-paid cornerback in the league currently.
With that side signed, sealed, and delivered, the other cornerback side has accolades on its own.
Campbell took the place of Greg Newsome, who was a roller coaster in man coverage and an above-average tackler. Campbell is quite the opposite. He excels in man coverage and is an absolute beast in the tackling game.
The Browns know exactly what to expect from Ward, who owns five Pro Bowls, including the past three consecutive seasons.
With Campbell (6’-1”, 195 pounds) manning the opposite side, the coaching staff doesn’t have to worry about his coverage, doubling his man, or sending a safety over to his side on every play. Campbell is also one of the best tackling cornerbacks in the league, and he continues to be an asset against the run regardless of where he lines up.
He has it covered. That is why he is the “X-factor” player for the defense this year.
If Campbell falters, then it’s full-go for the other team’s offense. Just toss it long, or in the intermediate soft zones, and watch the yardage add up as the team simply glides down the field. Simple arithmetic. A cornerback who is easily fooled, and a great day of stats for every receiver that passes his way.
But Cleveland has the luxury of having two very capable corners to play man coverage. Every team in the league is looking for one great cornerback. The Browns have a pair.
And while Newsome was about to be at the conclusion of his rookie contract, Campbell came to Cleveland with three years remaining on his deal. Now with Ward’s extension, the franchise is in great shape with shutdown corners until 2029.
The AFC North Division is certainly pass-happy. QB Joe Burrow with the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers love to air it out. QB Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens will throw some, but their running game is their offensive strategy. With all the greatness at quarterback within the division, Cleveland needs a great group not only at corner, but in the safety room as well. And that is a tight bunch as well.
Last year, Campbell started five games with the Jacksonville Jaguars, then all 12 contests once he landed in Cleveland. Throughout his five-year career, he has been very durable, another plus. In his annual stats, he has very few numbers with the pass rush since he rarely is sent on a blitz. His DC has always kept him centered on shadowing his man. But he is certainly active in the run stoppage game. And is a willing tackler.
In all 17 games in 2025, he had 87 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 18 pass defenses, 1 QB hit, 1 knockdown, 1 pressure, 1 interception, and 7 missed tackles.
With this pass defense last year, his receivers had 92 targets with just 49 completions for 658 yards, 6 touchdowns, and a 52.3 completion ratio.
Even if he is beaten, he is excellent at ball strips. No corner is going to knock away every ball, but Campbell has a knack at reaching and pulling the ball loose. This has happened over and over.
Campbell has gotten comfortable in this defense, whether it is Schwartz running the show or Rutenberg. He has already seen the likes of the other division signalcallers, so that’s not going to be anything new.
Straight up: The defense is dependent upon Campbell taking care of business on his side of the field in order to make the defense successful.
Who do you think is the defense’s X-factor this year?
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