Taking a Look Back on the Browns Horrendous 2024 Season
The Cleveland Browns finished the 2024-2025 season 3-14 and last in the AFC. They scored 15.2 points per game, dead last in the league. Their offense did not reach its potential as Deshaun Watson struggled in head coach Kevin Stefanski’s play-action offense. In Houston, Watson was better with a spread offensive system. Cleveland’s run game did not look as dominant as in years past. Nick Chubb did not record a game over 100 rushing yards in eight games. They did not have the same juice from guards Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio, who were amazing at opening Cleveland’s gap run scheme. Jerry Jeudy was the lone positive for the Browns, totaling over 1,000 yards, good for third in the NFL.
On the defensive side of the ball, Myles Garrett finished third in sacks. Cleveland’s run defense and man coverage took a step back this year, having a below-average 129 rush yards given up and 212 pass yards surrendered, good for above average. The Browns finished bottom five in points per game, giving up 25.6 points a contest. Now, they look to be in position for the number one overall pick, pending what happens in the last week of the regular season. One of the alarming things for the Browns is that Grant Delpit and Martin Emerson are the top two in tackles. It’s regular for a linebacker to lead the team in tackles, and to see two defensive backs lead the team in tackles shows that the last line of defense is being relied on.
They are also accustomed to playing multiple quarterbacks. They played four quarterbacks this year: Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Bailey Zappe. Playing so many quarterbacks means all sorts of adjustments. For one, the coaching staff must maximize his strengths. Two, the timing between the wide receivers and the quarterbacks are all different. Third, the quarterbacks are usually the leaders or captains of the team, so the locker room sees different types of leadership styles. Cleveland has to deal with Watson’s contract and his subpar play while also figuring out who their quarterback is long-term. One of the concerns is the health of key defender Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who may have a career-threatening injury. The Browns will have a top-five pick, something they are accustomed to. If the cards fall right for Cleveland, they have a shot of landing the number one overall pick.
