The Cleveland Browns dropped to 1-5 for the 2025 NFL season after another brutal loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. Once again, the defense did not receive any help from the offense, but they were not perfect either. Veteran QB Aaron Rodgers was able to pick apart the vaunted Browns defense with quick throws and misdirection that kept DE Myles Garrett from having time to make an impact.
RB Jaylen Warren had some important runs, but Cleveland’s defense did hold Pittsburgh under 100 yards
rushing for the game.
Injuries during the game came later and really didn’t cause the paltry performance by the offense. TE David Njoku had three receptions before going out. OT Jack Conklin’s injury had a bigger impact, but the Browns offensive line was struggling before he went out.
While fans look for who is to blame, the hope for Cleveland’s offensive roster was obviously held together by duct tape and chicken wire since the offseason:
- IF Joe Flacco finds magic again and stops turning the ball over
- IF Jerry Jeudy’s 2024 season wasn’t a fluke
- IF the offensive line found themselves after a return to the wide zone scheme
- IF Cedric Tillman developed as a #2 receiver
- IF David Njoku could be a huge weapon in the middle of the field
- IF three rookies (Quinshon Judkins, Harold Fannin Jr., Dylan Sampson) could carry the run game and provide a spark to help on a regular basis
So far, none of those things have happened on a regular basis (unless you consider Judkins and Fannin having met their goals).
Many want to blame GM Andrew Berry and/or HC Kevin Stefanski for the struggles on offense. While they share responsibility, the reality is that the Browns offensive line gives the offense and Stefanski almost no options.
Why?
The group is not fast/quick enough to be successful in movement-based concepts. Whether that is screen plays, wide zone runs, bootlegs or pulls, the offensive line is a step or more too slow. Age, along with wear and tear, has sapped the interior of the offensive line, Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller and Ethan Pocic, from their ability to get out and move. Similarly, Jack Conklin’s injuries, on top of Dawand Jones’ before he was lost for the season, have kept the right tackle from playing or being able to play quickly.
What happens when your offensive line can’t move quickly? Generally, you plan to play with power, strength and weight. Except that Cleveland’s offensive line was among the lower third in offensive line weight coming into the season, and that was with the massive Jones starting at left tackle. Bitonio, Teller, Pocic and Conklin have all been good because of their foot speed and use of leverage, not their ability to just bull people over with sheer power.
If your offensive line does not have quickness or power, you are significantly limited in what you can do. Even if a unit doesn’t have experience or overall talent, having one of those traits allows the offensive play caller to tailor the offense in a certain direction.
The Browns do not have either option.
Blame Berry. Blame Stefanski. Blame Dillon Gabriel and Flacco. Blame the pass catchers who struggle to get open and catch the football. Blame them all.
The reality is that it is very difficult to make an offense go when the line is both A) not good AND B) does not have either quickness or strength to build upon.
As trade rumors will continue to heat up, the focus in Cleveland is squarely on the 2026 NFL draft and beyond. The Browns most likely need a highly drafted quarterback, a talented wide receiver, and three or four new starters on their offensive line. While the first two positions are more exciting, the line is more important, especially with most of the current players set for free agency (or retirement).
Who or what do you blame most for the Browns struggles on offense? Given the personnel on the offensive line, what do you think the team could do to perform better?
