Fresh off of a five-win season, which followed a three-win campaign, the Cleveland Browns moved on from HC Kevin Stefanski but retained GM Andrew Berry. According to owner Jimmy Haslam, Berry’s 2025 NFL draft class was one of the biggest reasons for keeping the team’s front office leader.
As fans peruse the Browns 2026 schedule of opponents, which could include a trip to Paris, France, many are expecting another jump in the team’s record next season. Another two or three wins puts Cleveland in the range
of a .500 record (which is impossible without a tie due to the 17-game schedule).
For that to happen, new HC Todd Monken will need an influx of talent on the offensive side of the ball, hit on their quarterback decision, and then create a scheme that fits that talent.
Despite the NFL’s salary cap continuing to go up quickly, Berry, speaking after Monken’s introductory press conference, threw water on the idea that they would be adding a significant number of free agents to the roster this offseason:
We’re not necessarily going to be in the phase where we’re going to sign, you know, a bunch of mid-30s veterans to like put us over the top, so to speak. That doesn’t mean that we’re not going to participate in free agency or participate with veteran players. But the reality of having, you know, 10 selections, eight that are in the top 150 and already a very young defense and with pretty heavy investment on offense, in most worlds, we’re probably going to be one of the younger teams in the league.
At this point, the Browns offense has just two certainties among the starters: RB Quinshon Judkins and TE Harold Fannin Jr. Given his contract, WR Jerry Jeudy is likely to return as well. After that, Berry and Monken need to find eight starters, including the entire offensive line, from their current roster, NFL free agency, and the NFL draft. That is a lot to ask for from the previous roster that struggled or from rookies.
It is also interesting to note the words “to like put us over the top.” Berry clearly does not believe Cleveland’s roster will be ready to compete in 2026, which should set expectations for another growing (and likely more losses than wins) year for the Browns faithful.
Do you read into what Berry said as a clear indication of his plans for the Browns roster or do you think the team should and will invest in veterans via free agency?
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