CLEVELAND BROWNS
2024 Record - 3-14-0
Head Coach - Kevin Stefanski
2024 Offensive Rank - (28th overall) 301 YPG; Passing - 206 YPG (22nd), Rushing - 95 YPG (29th); SCORING - 15.2 PPG (32nd)
2024 Defensive Rank - (19th overall) - 342 YPG; Passing - 212 YPG (12th), Rushing - 130 YPG (21st); SCORING - 25.6 PPG (27th)
Key Additions for 2025 - Mason Graham (rookie - Michigan), Joe Flacco (QB), Maliek Collins (DL), Rayshawn Jenkins (DB), Teven Jenkins (OL), Diontae Johnson (WR), Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (LB)
Key Losses for 2025 - James Hudson III (OL), Elijah Moore (WR), Za'Darius Smith (DL), Dalvin Tomlinson (DL), Jameis Winston (QB), Nick Chubb (RB), Jordan Akins (TE),
OFFENSE - Joe Flacco, the 18-year veteran quarterback, has been named the starter for this season. Last year with the Indianapolis Colts, Flacco threw for 1,761 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games. There are two rookie quarterbacks in camp this year and either Dillon Gabriel (Oregon) or Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) will serve as the backups. Jerome Ford led the team in rushing last year with 565 yards (5.4 YPC) and scored three touchdowns. Also in the backfield are Pierre Strong, Jr. along with rookies Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) and Dylan Sampson (Tennessee). The wide receiving corps is led by Jerry Jeudy (90 receptions, 1,229 yards, four TD) along with Jamari Thrash, Cedric Tillman and Diontae Johnson, who had 33 receptions last season for 375 yards with three scores. Tight end David Njoku enters his ninth season and in 2024 he led the team with five touchdown receptions and had 64 total receptions for 505 yards.
DEFENSE - The Browns defense is led up front by All Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, who had 14 quarterback sacks. Also playing on the line are Maliek Collins, Ogbo Okoronkwo and rookie DT Mason Graham (Michigan). The linebackers include Jordan Hicks (78 tackles), Carson Schwesinger, Devin Bush and Jerome Baker. In the secondary is cornerback Denzel Ward, who had two interceptions a year ago along with corners Martin Emerson, Jr. (80 tackles) and Greg Newsome. The safeties are Grant Delpit (team high 108 tackles), Ronnie Hickman, Jr. and eight-year veteran Rayshawn Jenkins. Cleveland only had (league lowest) four interceptions last season along with 41 sacks.
OUTLOOK - After making the playoffs two years ago with Flacco playing quarterback (after coming out of retirement) the Browns took a huge step backward in 2024, finishing at or near the bottom of the NFL in numerous offensive categories. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski is now in his sixth season in Cleveland and has no less than five quarterbacks on the team (for now) with many question marks facing the team this year. The Browns play in the rugged AFC North, where Baltimore, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh loom large.
The offense has a lot of work to do in 2025 and protecting both the football (Cleveland was an NFL worst minus-22 in turnovers last season) and their quarterback will be the primary goals. Cleveland signal callers were sacked 66 times last year. Only the Chicago Bears were worst in that area. The Browns only scored 15.2 points per game (32nd) and that must improve. The passing attack was adequate a year ago, but still needs to do more. Defensively, Cleveland was mediocre on paper, but tended to get burned by big plays and the red zone efficiency wasn't real good.
If the Browns can manage to double their three-win total from last year, that would be decent progress as they have so many new faces on the roster in 2025, including a second tour of duty from Flacco at quarterback. Perhaps they could spring some surprises, but the likelihood is another last place finish this year.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Cincinnati
Week Two - at Baltimore
Week Three - vs. Green Bay
Week Four - at Detroit
Week Five - vs. Minnesota (London, England)
Week Six - at Pittsburgh
Week Seven - vs. Miami
Week Eight - at New England
Week Nine - BYE
Week Ten - at N.Y. Jets
Week Eleven - vs. Baltimore
Week Twelve - at Las Vegas
Week Thirteen - vs. San Francisco
Week Fourteen - vs. Tennessee
Week Fifteen - at Chicago
Week Sixteen - vs. Buffalo
Week Seventeen - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Eighteen - at Cincinnati
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