Month: May 2025

The Browns off-season program begins again today, so be prepared for video on social media. Also be prepared for the continued argument on who’s having a better camp, Dillion Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders. I think I’ll start an argument on who’s better, Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett to see if anyone notices. To me, I really don’t care which one does better, just find a quarterback who can win games and get the Browns to the playoffs. In 2023, the Browns won because they had four quarterbacks who could play in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. In 2024 they had zero quarterbacks who could play in any system. The team scrapped their entire offense for one signal caller thinking he could revive his franchise QB career. It didn’t work. It failed miserably. I understand why they did it. The last game Deshaun Watson played in 2023 was one hell of a game. The Browns trailed most of the game by at least fourteen points on the road against the Ravens. In the second half the team went on three long scoring drives including the game winning field goal with no time left on the clock. Hell, they even missed an extra point, which usually is a kiss of death for the Browns and still won the game.

Like I said, I understand the change in offense. Did I agree with it? I was more wait and see. By the time 2024 was over, I no longer wanted to look. Now the team enters 2025 with a true quarterback competition. In Flacco, the team knows what it has, a veteran who can work in Stefanski’s offense. The question is was 2023 a fluke? The ball bounced the Browns way that year. From opponents missing game winning field goals to back-to-back pass interference calls in the end-zone leading to a fourth & goal game winning rushing touchdown. 2023 was magical, but it ended with a thud in the playoffs. The Browns traded for Kenny Pickett, so they see something there. He used his senior season at Pittsburg to parlay that into a first round pick by the Steelers. He was 15-10 as a starter in an offense that was almost nonexistent. Before Pickett the offense was whatever Big Ben dreamed up. In college Pickett ran basically the same offense as the Browns will run in 2025. Again, I’m in wait and see mode.

If the Browns can find their future quarterback between Gabriel or Sanders that would be the perfect situation. A few things to remember, in all the off-season programs, the pace will be quicker. The team is trying to get in as many reps prior to the summer months to get both rookies used to the speed of the NFL. Who takes the first snaps, or which two quarterbacks are working in tandem doesn’t matter. It’s all about getting in as many snaps in as possible. Second, I know a lot of fans are already planning trading Pickett to the Saints for a certain wide receiver. I’ve been told the Saints aren’t interested. Besides, the Browns want to wait and see what they have in Pickett. Finally, no one knows who the starting QB will be game one. It’s way too early for that speculation. All I know is, the Browns will keep three quarterbacks on their final 53-man roster and none of the four they have in camp right now will make it to the practice squad. This year’s training camp is going to be a true competition. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Currently the rookies and the veterans are in Berea working out. There’s no media access, which is good. According to those, who are reliable, both rookie quarterbacks have done well. Let’s not say one is better than the other at this point in the game. With the schedule release last week, people are trying to speculate when one of the rookies will start. I would prefer game one in 2026. If that happens, the Browns will probably have had a good season in 2025. Imagine finding your starting quarterback in the fourth or fifth round. Then add to that, a starting running back duo who are on rookie contracts for four years. By the way, for those of you who think the Browns are tanking this year, I’ve been told that’s not the feeling in the building. Yes, as of right now, the schedule is the second hardest in the league, but that’s as of right now, in May. I’ll wait till the league gets in the doldrums of training camp to decide. Remember last year they had the second easiest schedule. Things always change.

The new stadium in Brook Park is going to happen no matter how stupid the local politicians behave. The Haslam Sports Group will get the funding from the state for infrastructure and by 2029 the Browns will be playing in “Jimmy world.” They’ll have shovels in the ground by next month. The local politicians haven’t done anything to improve the lakefront for thirty years, why do you think they’ll start now. They all should be replaced for incompetence.

I’m still waiting to see the contracts of the two new safeties. The Browns, according to Over The Cap, are $17.6 million under the cap. Both Damontae Kazee and Rayshawn Jenkins should both receive one-year contracts for the veteran minimum of $1,255,000. The team will have about $10 million added back to their cap space after June 1 because of Dalvin Tomlinson and Juan Thornhill. If more cap space is needed, the Browns can restructure Denzel Ward and Ethan Pocic. Remember a restructure is not a pay cut. Also, only the top 51 salaries count against the cap.

Back to the QB discussion, it’s my opinion that Kenny Pickett will probably start training camp as number one. They traded for him, so that’s what I’m basing it on. All four have been told it’s a true competition and nothing will be assumed. This team needs to focus on winning, not quarterback development. If the coaching staff feels one of the rookies can win right out of the gate, then they’ll start. Winning is the goal in 2025. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Now that the NFL draft is over, the Browns still need to address the wide receiver and safety positions in free agency. Here’s link to an article I wrote with my suggestions, https://www.ffsn.com/the-fanatical-elfz-network/cleveland-browns-remaining-team-needs-in-free-agency/. The safety position is more urgent in my opinion. There are still plenty of players available.

Today the Browns made the signing of wide receiver Diontae Johnson official. He’s been a problem for his last two teams, but he can still get separation and run very precise routes. It’s a low price, potentially high reward signing. If it doesn’t work, the Browns will just cut him. That’s why I think the Browns should still add a veteran wide receiver. The team could also try and trade for a WR. Some potential candidates are Alec Pierce, Colts, Courtland Sutton, Broncos, Christian Watson, Packers and Noah Brown, Commanders.

The Browns have the draft capital to trade. They currently have two firsts, one second, one third, one fourth, one fifth, one sixth and two sevenths for 2026. Nine total so a trade wouldn’t be out of the question. The Browns roster is at 81 out of 90 players, so there’s room.

According to Over The Cap https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/cleveland-browns Cleveland is currently $16.6 million under the salary cap of $279,200,000. On June 2, the team will have about $10 million added back for the designated post-June 1 cuts of Juan Thornhill and Dalvin Tomlinson. So they’re sitting very well salary cap wise. I still wouldn’t be surprised if they restructure the contracts of Denzel Ward and Ethan Pocic. Browns GM Andrew Berry loves to carryforward any unused cap money to next year. That’s one of the reasons the Browns can sustain their roster, by using all the rules of the current CBA.

On Friday May 9, the Browns rookies will report to Berea to begin rookie minicamp. On May 12, they start the Rookie Development Program. OTAs are scheduled for May 27-28, and May30, June 3-4 and June 6 and June 16-19. The media crush on Friday is going to be unbelievable. Everyone will want to see Shedeur Sanders. This is going to be one crazy off-season. Stay safe and Go Browns.