With the completion of Super Bowl 57, the 2023 NFL season has officially started. As for the game, one play didn’t decide it, but the field conditions really hurt the Eagles. The league spent $800,000.00 growing the grass specifically for the Super Bowl. The NFL should ask for its money back, what a mess. It naturized the Eagles pass rush. You can’t give Pat Mahomes that much time. I hope Browns Kevin Stefanski was watching the Chiefs redzone offense because it was a thing of beauty. A lot of motion, a lot of speed and a franchise quarterback who has time to throw.
Now begins the Browns quest to get to Super Bowl 58. First up, hiring new coaches to replace Jeff Howard, Chris Kiffin and possibly Drew Petzing. The Colts and the Cardinals have decided on their new head coaches, so the Browns can finish out their coaching staffs. I have a feeling new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz knows who he wants to hire, and it’ll be happen pretty quickly.
Next up for the Browns will be contract restructures. Remember, a restructure is not a pay cut if the owner can afford to pay the upfront money. Jimmy Haslam can afford it even after he buys a 25% stake in the Milwaukie Bucks. The date to watch is the beginning of the Franchise tag period. Once Baltimore officially tags quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Browns will restructure Watson’s contract. The Browns want to force the Ravens to pay the full tag for quarterbacks, $32.42 million. It doesn’t matter if Jackson signs the offer or not, once the team applies the franchise tag, the amount is set. The Franchise and Transition period begins on February 21 and runs through March 7.
Now that Joe Thomas is in the NFL Hall of Fame, as if there was any doubt, I know a lot of you are wondering if the Browns will play in the Hall of Fame Game. We should find out sometime during the NFL combine, which is February 28 through March 6. My money is on Jets vs. Browns and no there isn’t a rule that teams who play each other in the regular season can’t play in the pre-season. It’s happened before.
The fun really gets started on March 13, when the legal tampering period begins. The illegal tampering period begins at the Combine. Shh, don’t tell anyone. Then on March 15 free agency begins and large amounts of money will be thrown around. Day one is always big contracts for big names and day two is always what I like to call “fool’s gold day.” Big money given to average players. As I’ve said before, Browns GM Andrew Berry will attack the defensive line first. The team needs at least a DT1, DE2 & DE3. A trade for a wide receiver wouldn’t surprise me either.
Next year is officially here Browns fans. Stay safe and Go Browns.