Going into the season, no one expected the Cleveland Browns to be contenders of any sort. Whether it was making the playoffs orthe Super Bowl, it just wasn’t a possibility this year. Cleveland’s Super Bowl window is closed until further notice, but its playoff contention is just temporarily closed.
In the grand scheme of things, is it ideal that the Browns are 2-6 right now? Not necessarily, but the team could easily be 4-4 if the ball bounces the other way. Cleveland has been competitive in most
games this season, mainly due to their defense, but the maligned offense has been a detriment to the team having actual success.
With how the NFL is, teams’ contending windows can change at any moment. Rebuilding teams that have a rookie quarterback with a high ceiling can find themselves as a playoff team in their first year. Is it rare? Yes, the Washington Commanders with Jayden Daniels is the recent example and the Houston Texans with CJ Stroud the year prior is another one.
Drake Maye and Caleb Williams didn’t get there in one season, but they are showing a ton now.
It’s clear that the Browns are trying to stay competitive while at the same time going through some form of a youth movement in terms of their roster. Last year’s roster was one of the oldest in the league; this year, it’s much different. With the rookie class flashing, Cleveland has solid building blocks in place. However, the team is lacking at key spots (mainly on offense).
- Quarterback
- True top wide receiver
- Offensive line (essentially the entire room)
Some may disagree with this sentiment, but the Browns are not far off from being viable playoff contenders in the AFC.
Defensively, the unit is set. It’s the offense that needs to be rebuilt.
The franchise quarterback is not present on this team; it’s likely going to be someone in the draft. Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, Oregon QB Dante Moore and Alabama QB Ty Simpson are the top three QB’s in this draft class, according to most. It’s possible that Cleveland ends up with one of those, but the question is if any of these QBs have a high enough ceiling to elevate a franchise. It’s a valid question that will be answered before the 2026 NFL draft.
Cleveland lacks a true WR1 on the team and the receiver room needs to be overhauled; same can be said for the offensive line. The issue with those units is that having a top-flight receiver helps the rest of the group. Having a top-flight left tackle helps the rest of the group. Having a top-flight quarterback helps everyone.
If the team hits on the QB and their ceiling is high enough, the team can be back into playoff contention as well as revamping the offense.
In terms of revamping the offense, how the offense will look next year will matter. No one knows if head coach Kevin Stefanski will be the coach next year, but if by chance he is, the offense has to be better. The personnel will help, but the offense as a whole, in terms of scheme, needs to be more modernized.
This team isn’t far off as many think, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Browns are in the playoff race come next season.
How far off do you think the Browns are from being playoff contenders? A year, two, more?
Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below
