Browns looking to bounce back with new coach, optimism

No team failed to realize expectations more than the Cleveland Browns a year ago. Now, under head coach Kevin Stefanski, they look ready to make a leap.

Best-case scenario

After going 6-10 last season, the Cleveland Browns had to eat more than their fair share of humble pie. They felt as though the sky was the limit a season ago but now, expectations seem much more realistic.

No one is expecting them to be fighting for a spot in the Super Bowl but there’s legitimate hope for them to earn a spot in the playoffs as a Wild Card team — which would end the longest current postseason drought in the NFL.

Worst-case scenario

To go through another year like they had in 2019.

The Browns have a new coach and two new offensive coordinators trying to install their systems in an offseason that was limited due to COVID-19. Furthermore, they’re converting rookie Jedrick Wills from right tackle to left in this same limited offseason.

While there’s a lot of excitement for the change in Berea, there’s a lot that could go wrong. And if things do start to go bad, it could get ugly in a hurry.

Biggest offseason move

There are so many offseason moves to choose from with the Browns hiring a new general manager, a new coach, and two new coordinators. They also committed to fixing the offensive line by signing Jack Conklin and drafting Jedrick Wills.

However, if we have to pick just one move as the most impactful, that has to be the hiring of Andrew Berry as the general manager. He proved to be a great selection for them as he negotiated some impressive signings and more than held his own in the draft. His hiring will have a huge impact for many years to come.

Draft pick who makes the big impact

There’s no denying which rookie will have the biggest impact for the Browns. Wills is a beast and he plays a position of great need for them.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield spent most of 2019 under pressure due to their porous offensive line and Wills is a player who can help him improve immensely this year.

Overall expectations

Over the past three seasons, the Browns have done a great job rebuilding. The Freddie Kitchens experiment knocked them down a peg but there’s still a lot of talent. Berry rounded the roster out nicely this offseason. Additionally, Kevin Stefanski seems to be a huge upgrade at head coach.

Having said that, this team needs to learn how to win. This season, the Browns will be better than they were a year ago but they still have some growing pains ahead and play in a tough division with Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

In the end, look for them to be in the area of nine wins, fighting for a wild card spot.