I haven’t been this excited about a bye week in my life. Writing, podcasting and watching the Browns is exhausting. But I haven’t given up. Yes, the AFC North is a joke. Because of quarterback play and defense. The other three teams in the division, (Pittsburg, Baltimore and Cincinnati) all have terrible defenses. The Steelers are rated 28th, the Ravens are rated 30th and the Bengals are rated 31st. according to Fox Sports. The Browns are rated number one. Baltimore and Cincinnati have QBs who can’t stay healthy. Lamar Jackson has been hurt three out of the last five years and Joe Burrow always seems to be hurt. I think his last healthy season was when they went to the Super Bowl. In Pittsburg they have a 41-year-old quarterback probably in his last season. The Browns on the other hand, don’t have a QB. I honestly think if Kenny Picket had not been hurt, he would have been the starter in 2025, and the Browns right now would be in better shape.
So let’s talk about the stupidity that’s circulating in the local media and on social media.
- Deshaun Watson is going to play another game for the Browns. This is the dumbest take I’ve ever heard. First, he needs to be activated from the PUP list, he was eligible after week four. If that happens, which it won’t, then the Browns would have five weeks to activate him to the 53-man roster. If none of this happens, then he stays on the PUP list for the 2025 season. He might be the third string QB in 2026, or the Browns will do what the Texans did in 2022, keep him on the roster and never play him. He’ll be gone when the league years starts in 2027. They’ll designate him as a June 2 cut and spread his cap hit over 2027 and 2028.
- Salary Cap. Right now, according to Over The Cap, the Browns have over $23 million in cap space. Do a few salary restructures, carryover the unused 2025 salary, have salary added back because Joel Bitonio retires, (about $13 million) a big increase in the 2026 cap (it will always get bigger) and the Browns should have around $50 million in cap space in 2026. That includes Watson’s contract. So to say the Browns don’t have cap space is a statement made by someone who is clueless about the salary cap.
- Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski. They’re safe only because the owner (and he’s said this) approved the Watson trade. In 2026 the Browns need to concentrate on the offense. It will start in free agency, with a starting tackle and possibly a starting wide receiver. If the team needs to resign Teven Jenkins and Cam Robinson for depth, great. I would even consider resigning Wyatt Teller on a one-year deal. Draft a tackle and a wide receiver in the first round. So far, I’m not impressed with the current 2026 quarterback class with the exception of Fernando Mendoza, but I’m going to wait to see if Indiana plays Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game.
- As for the trading deadline, Mayles Garrett isn’t going anywhere because of his contract. The Browns recently signed a couple of tight ends and now the media is convinced the team is going to trade Njoku. I think they signed them for their blocking ability not to trade Njoku. The Browns don’t want to trade him, but if a team offers up a deal you can’t refuse, then you have to do it. This team needs to fix the offense in one off-season and high draft picks are the answer.
- Could there be a change in the starting quarterback after the bye? Sure, if Sanders is healthy and ready why not? Right now, the plays are on the field, but Dillon Gabriel is not seeing them. Get Sanders ready and give him a shot. Is he the answer in the future? The Browns won’t know until he plays.
- Are there still winnable games on the schedule? Yes. The next game against the Jets, depending on Jackson, the next home game against the Ravens, at the Raiders, a home against the Titans, possibly at the Bears, at home against the Steelers and possibly at the Bengals. If the offense can be average, the home games against the 49ers and the Bills might be interesting. Stay safe and Go Browns.