In just a few short days, the Cleveland Browns will open training camp for the 2025 regular season. The Browns posted a dismal 3-14 mark in 2024, which put them in last place in the rugged AFC North. 2 time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski returns, with Tommy Rees as Offensive Coordinator and Jim Schwartz in charge of the defense. Cleveland scored the fewest points in the NFL last season, so getting to the endzone more often is a top priority. Only the Tennessee Titans gave up more points in the AFC than the Browns, so improvement on that side of the ball is a must.
There will be some long time veterans mixed with some rookie draft picks that will carry the hopes that the Browns can be a more competitive team in 2025. A playoff berth seems unlikely, given that the team must find a starting QB in addition to other positions that must be filled. The QB situation will be a battle among 4 players, 2 veterans, Joe Flacco, and 2 rookies, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Who emerges as the starting signal caller will have a huge impact on the success of the team. Veterans Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, and Wyatt Teller will anchor the O-line. There will probably be a few rookies that will start, most likely DT Mason Graham from Michigan, and either RB Quinshon Judkins from Ohio State or RB Dylan Sampson from Tennessee. Long time Brown Nick Chubb has signed with Houston, so Judkins and Sampson must be ready for the call. WR Jerry Jeudy returns after an outstanding 1,000 yard season.
The defense will be spearheaded by DE Myles Garrett, one of the NFL's top game wreckers and a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit, and Martin Emerson lead the secondary, while the LB group took a big hit when Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was ruled out for the season. Veterans Jerome Baker from Ohio State and Devin Bush from Michigan could play a big role in the unit's success. Graham could give the Browns a strong run stopper on the Dline.
Dustin Hopkins returns for the place kicking duties, while Corey Borjoguez will handle the punting.
Cleveland has the toughest schedule in the NFL for the first 6 games, opening with a home game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals.
GO BROWNS!!
