The story of the Cleveland Browns over the years has been filled with many highs and lows, and it’s easy to wonder how just one different decision or play might have completely reshaped the direction of the franchise. There are so many moves, big and small, that Browns fans naturally remember as franchise-altering.
Let’s revisit a few of these ‘what if’ moments that could’ve changed everything:
3. What if the Browns drafted Julio Jones instead of trading that pick to the Atlanta Falcons?
In the 2011
NFL Draft, Cleveland held the 6th overall pick — the same spot where the Falcons ended up drafting Jones. They received a massive haul of draft assets in return; however, none of those picks turned into any impactful players. In fact, one of the picks turned out to be quarterback Brandon Weeden who really struggled during his time in Cleveland. It is tough to see the ripple effects of that pick when you think about the fantastic, Hall of Fame-level career that Jones had.
2. What if Earnest Byner never fumbled in the 1987 AFC Championship Game
Probably the most notable and heartbreaking on-field moment in Browns history was when Earnest Byner lost the ball on the 2-yard line in January of 1988 during the AFC Championship game. Had Byner scored in that moment, the game likely would’ve been tied with about a minute left in the game. A win that day would’ve led to a Super Bowl appearance for Cleveland, and the narrative about the Browns would’ve been forever changed.
1. What if the Browns never moved to Baltimore in 1995?
Perhaps the biggest ‘what if’ scenario of them all came when the team was relocated to Baltimore. Since the Browns’ return to Cleveland in 1999, they have struggled to find consistent success, and it’s easy to wonder if that would have been the case had the team never left in the first place. Bill Belichick may have stayed on as the head coach of the Browns, and the team would’ve had an entirely different foundation and style.
Let me know what you think in the comments – What are some other of the biggest ‘what if’ scenarios that would’ve changed everything for the Browns?
