2025 Browns Offseason Thread: Delusions Of Grandeur?

[bigfoot5415]

Here's the thing.

We absolutely do not have an offense that can ascend to the top ranks. We're in agreement on that one, right?

We don't have a Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen pulling the trigger.

We don't even have JaMarr Chase, AJ Brown, Justin Jefferson, etc to catch passes.

We no longer have all-pro Nick Chubb at RB.

Our offensive line has aged out of dominance.

So, you look at that and figure, yeah... Stefanski plus a better QB can probably use what's left to cobble together a respectable offense... give us a puncher's chance when guys like Myles and Denzel can change the game in an instant on the defensive side.

But when you take away that transcendent talent, you're left with a team that just can't do it anymore. You no longer are a Matt Stafford away from letting your Aaron Donald lead the way to the Super Bowl... you're just a team without any strengths and without any identity.

All with the following schedule
2x Pittsburgh
2x Baltimore
2x Cincinnati
Buffalo
Miami
Green Bay
Minnesota
49ers
Detroit

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Until we draft Cam Ward. Then the sky is the limit for us.

I wouldn't say that at all.

We still lack weapons on offense, and without Myles on defense we really just don't have anything that stands out.

 

[Vee-Rex]

I wouldn't say that at all.

We still lack weapons on offense, and without Myles on defense we really just don't have anything that stands out.

Gotta hit on those draft picks.

If we took a Ward for example and he played as well as some of the rookies this past year, our ceiling would skyrocket. Instead of a 3-win team with Myles, we might be looking at 7+ wins without Myles which would probably be enough to keep some jobs with the rookie QB. Hit on a RB (or if Chubb miraculously recovers) in a return-to-roots wide zone offense and things could rapidly change.

The situation is dire but the cupboard is not barren. We’ve still got Jeudy and Njoku at skill positions. Was Tillman real? Depending on the haul for Myles we could very quickly address some key offensive skill positions, bolster the o-line, and run out a respectable offense.

A lot has to go right but if we announce Cam Ward as our pick I’m going to be ecstatic.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

I wouldn't say that at all.

We still lack weapons on offense, and without Myles on defense we really just don't have anything that stands out.

Sure, if they don't get anything back.

I'd assume you'd get 2 top 50 picks this draft and next draft. Or combine them for a QB next draft.

I think it behooves the Browns and Myles to come a mutual separation by trade; because you can skip a year of the rebuild and be ready by 2026/27 if you get it very right.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I really hate to do this… someone tell me to stop

Fucking stop.

In all seriousness: If you weren't aware that Browns fans are damaged goods who do not process set backs in a healthy process, welcome to a shit show that rarely takes a break. Not you personally @Vee-Rex - I'm just watching Cleveland sports fans follow a path I've seen way too often.

I struggle to remember any set back that hasn't been met with a total meltdown from fans. We lose week one? Fire everyone. Some player uses social media to take a dig at the franchise? Start the tank.

Every Browns fan isn't going to crumble into the same pitiful angry puddle of "I knew this horrible thing would happen.". But didn't you know EXACTLY who in your life would be freaking out the past 24 hours? Didn't you know EXACTLY who in your life would wait for more details and media releases?

As a Browns fan, you get three choices: You can choose to maintain a cycle of dysfunction, seek a new path out, or just drop the franchise. The only choice that has become annoying to me is the first one. If you can't take this crazy ride, feel free to get out of the way. The Cavs are going to get you through. If you are interested to see if the front office has a plan, I'm here with you. But the total meltdown shit is old and not the only path forward.

 

[Vee-Rex]

Fucking stop.

In all seriousness: If you weren't aware that Browns fans are damaged goods who do not process set backs in a healthy process, welcome to a shit show that rarely takes a break. Not you personally @Vee-Rex - I'm just watching Cleveland sports fans follow a path I've seen way too often.

I struggle to remember any set back that hasn't been met with a total meltdown from fans. We lose week one? Fire everyone. Some player uses social media to take a dig at the franchise? Start the tank.

Every Browns fan isn't going to crumble into the same pitiful angry puddle of "I knew this horrible thing would happen.". But didn't you know EXACTLY who in your life would be freaking out the past 24 hours? Didn't you know EXACTLY who in your life would wait for more details and media releases?

As a Browns fan, you get three choices: You can choose to maintain a cycle of dysfunction, seek a new path out, or just drop the franchise. The only choice that has become annoying to me is the first one. If you can't take this crazy ride, feel free to get out of the way. The Cavs are going to get you through. If you are interested to see if the front office has a plan, I'm here with you. But the total meltdown shit is old and not the only path forward.

Love it!

I suppose being endlessly optimistic can be sickening in its own right to some people.

Like… I’m always going to be excited for some reason. I’m ready for next season. After FA and the draft? Super Bowl time.

 

[Mr. Orange]

Browns fans, we also are very fortunate to have the Buckeyes, Cavs, and Guardians. Don’t forget. 3/4 really ain’t bad

 

[PIP]

Orange is on it !!!

 

[bigfoot5415]

Browns fans, we also are very fortunate to have the Buckeyes, Cavs, and Guardians. Don’t forget. 3/4 really ain’t bad

Football season is easy to cope with when you have a great baseball team & exciting basketball team. They overlap and its almost like you dont have to watch football. I hate that I feel this way, but they are expendable.

 

[Selby]

Browns fans, we also are very fortunate to have the Buckeyes, Cavs, and Guardians. Don’t forget. 3/4 really ain’t bad

But you have the Lions, Wolverines, Pistons, Red Wings, and Tigers.

 

[Ace]

Love it!

I suppose being endlessly optimistic can be sickening in its own right to some people.

Like… I’m always going to be excited for some reason. I’m ready for next season. After FA and the draft? Super Bowl time.

Respect lol!

I love how @Randolphkeys put it "Browns fans are damaged goods who do not process set backs in a healthy process". Add the fact the NFL season is only 17 games over 18 weeks, fans go into over-analyzation mode like crazy.

Whatever happens will happen, but the WOE IS ME, WE ARE SCREWED non-sense is a bit theatrical. We are solid QB play away from being a very solid NFL team. Bring on the draft, FA, plus a return to KS offense and the product next year will look a lot different than what we saw in 2024.

Unfortunately, the local media does not help that narrative. Take the salary cap for example, you still have local media saying we have no cap space. And while our cap position is not all that rosy, after the re-structures we will create space, and be in a position to sign players. But instead of understanding that local media and most fans (not the RCF community) continue to say "OMG THE BROWNS WILL SUCK THEY HAVE NO CAP SPACE, MYLES REQUESTED A TRADE, THE BROWNS ARE RESISTING A REBUILD, BLAH BLAH....

Sorry maybe a bit of rant of my own after consuming the Cleveland media the past 24 hours. But the levels of overreaction theater are laughable.

 

[American Hero]

Respect lol!

I love how @Randolphkeys put it "Browns fans are damaged goods who do not process set backs in a healthy process". Add the fact the NFL season is only 17 games over 18 weeks, fans go into over-analyzation mode like crazy.

Whatever happens will happen, but the WOE IS ME, WE ARE SCREWED non-sense is a bit theatrical. We are solid QB play away from being a very solid NFL team. Bring on the draft, FA, plus a return to KS offense and the product next year will look a lot different than what we saw in 2024.

Unfortunately, the local media does not help that narrative. Take the salary cap for example, you still have local media saying we have no cap space. And while our cap position is not all that rosy, after the re-structures we will create space, and be in a position to sign players. But instead of understanding that local media and most fans (not the RCF community) continue to say "OMG THE BROWNS WILL SUCK THEY HAVE NO CAP SPACE, MYLES REQUESTED A TRADE, THE BROWNS ARE RESISTING A REBUILD, BLAH BLAH....

Sorry maybe a bit of rant of my own after consuming the Cleveland media the past 24 hours. But the levels of overreaction theater are laughable.

The Browns best player just said he wants out because the roster and GM are trash and you're claiming it's a media/fan issue?

 

[Ace]

The Browns best player just said he wants out because the roster and GM are trash and you're claiming it's a media/fan issue?

Might want to read my post again. Nowhere did I say the Myles Garret wants out and its because of the fans/media.

I was just simply pointing out the general fragility of this fan base, and the Cleveland media as a whole when it comes to any setbacks for the browns. They love to over-react to everything. I wonder how some of these people manage their personal/private lives - probably in shambles over every situation in life if I had to guess

Maybe Myles does get traded, maybe he doesn't at the end of the day the browns are 49-67 with one tie with him as a member of the team. Would sure as hell love to keep him, I love him as a Brown. But not going to over-react because a player requested a trade.

 

[prf100]

I remember when David Njoku requested a trade. Myles Garrett is obviously a much more important player, but it would have been easy for the FO to say “fuck it” and just ship him out for a day 3 pick. But they didn’t. They let a bit of time pass, let the rawness of the demand / request ease… then took a methodical approach on what to do. Given Myles is much more critical along with the financial complexities of trading him regardless of the return… the FO will most certainly take a disciplined approach here.

ETA: this is why I like Berry - he is disciplined, steady, and doesn’t overreact. Same with Stefanski. They made the playoffs with Joe Flacco last year. That doesn’t happen with a bad front office and bad coaching. That happens with disciplined professionals. We need to keep that.

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

I know the logic behind having a generational player. He stands above his peers. But from a positional standpoint, there’s just a limit to how much that type of player can impact a game. Do we have 0 wins without Myles? Or maybe just 1 or 2 wins less wins? This is “Myles” we’re talking about here - that generational GOAT level player at DE.

I just don’t know if I look at this situation and declare we tank/fire everyone/trade everyone if we don’t keep Myles. He alone is just not franchise-altering, like an elite QB would be.

I think last year was straight chalk for a variety of reasons and there were points where the team wasn’t overly interested in winning and at times appeared to just blatantly quit (saints game was inexcusable nonsense)

I strongly believe we don’t make the playoffs in 2023 without Myles. Honestly I can’t even conceivably think of a way we won that colts game without his absolute takeover. I don’t think it’s a stretch at all to say that 11 win team with that dominant defense is likely below .500 without Myles who was the engine that made it all go

Myles can’t overcome 32nd ranked QB play. But given even average QB play I think taking him off the roster is definitely enough to push us from playoffs to no playoffs