The Cleveland Browns marked the anniversary of securing a playoff spot by scoring just three points, losing their final home game of the season in front of a half-empty stadium, and improving their 2025 draft pick. The season, already a failure, reached a new low on Sunday, and there’s still one game left.
A year after Joe Flacco led the Browns to the postseason with a win over the New York Jets, the team (3-13) seemed hopeless in a 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins. With rain and wind adding to the miserable day, the Browns’ tough season finally neared its end.
The Browns, now on a five-game losing streak, will close the season against the Ravens in Baltimore on Saturday. While the game once had playoff importance for the Browns, it now only matters for the Ravens, who can win the AFC North with a victory.
After the season ends, the Browns will reflect on what went wrong in 2024 and how to fix it. The list of issues is long.
While it seems unlikely coach Kevin Stefanski will be fired, owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam must consider what caused the team’s decline from an 11-6 record and a playoff spot to their worst season since the 0-16 year in 2017. Someone will likely lose their job.
Although Stefanski, a two-time AP Coach of the Year, seems safe for now, general manager Andrew Berry’s spot might be in jeopardy due to inconsistent drafts. The Haslams may question whether he’s the right person to make decisions on the roster.
A big issue for the Browns has been quarterback Deshaun Watson and his massive five-year, $230 million contract, which has limited the team’s ability to address other needs.
Last week, Watson, who is recovering from a season-ending Achilles injury, agreed to restructure his contract, freeing up some salary cap space and possibly allowing the team to move on from him.
Watson has played only 19 games in three seasons and has had season-ending injuries for the past two years. His restructuring could signal that the Haslams are willing to be patient with Berry, who received a contract extension last summer.
Just months ago, the Browns had high hopes. Now, they find themselves back where they were three years ago: searching for a franchise quarterback.
