The Cleveland Browns have already made some changes this offseason, but there are still a lot of unanswered concerns. Here are several pressing concerns that the Browns have this week, as they are rumored to be hiring a new offensive coordinator.
The first move of the Browns offseason was cutting ties with and replacing a number of offensive assistants. However, with free agency approaching in a few months, there is still a lot of work to be done. We’ll address the most important queries the franchise has as they prepare for 2024 every week. Now let’s address number four!
What will the offensive coordinator position entail for Ken Dorsey?
Above all, I believe it’s critical to state right away that Kevin Stefanski is not relinquishing his play-calling duties. I just don’t see it happening given his insistence on doing it over the past four years and the backing of General Manager Andrew Berry, who stated last week that it was one of his best qualities as a coach.
Having said that, I believe Stefanski is fond of the notion of Dorsey providing an alternative viewpoint for the offensive strategy. They are trying extremely hard to get Deshaun Watson back to being a top-10 quarterback, and his experience working with other mobile quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Cam Newton should help. The majority of Dorsey’s job will probably involve writing plays for the offense and fine-tuning the game plan as they learn how the opposition defenses are hitting them. During his more than a year as OC in Buffalo, his offenses produced some very noteworthy stats. He called things with what appeared to be some tenacity, but again, I didn’t anticipate that would be his job in Cleveland.
This offseason, will the Browns actually try to sign Tee Higgins?
Well, Watson surely hopes so, that much is evident. Last week, he appealed to his fellow Clemson teammate to travel to Cleveland with him on the QB Unplugged Podcast. While Watson is a respected figure in the Browns organization, he also made a pitch to former colleague DeAndre Hopkins during the offseason, which was not fulfilled.
Nevertheless, the Browns discovered this season that they require more space for their wide receivers. Although Amari Cooper is still a dependable and constant target, they had very little to rely on after him. Cleveland is also well aware that Cooper will start the upcoming season at the age of thirty, which is always a scary age in the NFL. That doesn’t mean he can’t or won’t return the following season; in fact, I predict Berry will rework Cooper’s contract, which is set to cost the Browns $23 million, in order to clear some salary space this offseason.
Keeping all of that in mind, it would be advantageous to add a wide receiver who can succeed Cooper by becoming the number one wide receiver after him in addition to bringing in a wideout who can deliver a great one-two punch. Higgins argues that he is among the best wideouts available. It will all come down to the pennies and dollars in the end. According to Spotrac, Higgins’ market value is $74 million, or around four years. That’s more than $18 million annually. Cleveland will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on the wide receiver market in the coming months, and given that they are somewhat familiar with Higgins’ body of performance, I anticipate that they will be considering him.
To what extent should Deshaun Watson’s ability be considered questionable following a glenoid fracture?
It’s possible that not enough people are asking this question at the moment. But that doesn’t mean Watson won’t bounce back and be better than ever—possibly even becoming the quarterback he was before joining the Texans. It is quite definitely feasible.
It’s alarming, though, that there isn’t much information available about players recovering from glenoid fractures, much less one where the injury occurs in a quarterback’s throwing shoulder. That’s not to say it won’t happen, though. I’m not a doctor at all, but the experts in the field believe he should be alright. But it’s reasonable to question if this injury and surgery will have any lasting effects on his arm until he’s back throwing footballs. Watson was already attempting to resurrect some of his former self as a quarterback for Houston, and that journey now appears to be more difficult.
Are the opponents that the Browns just played against on conference championship weekend really that much superior?
The difference between the Browns and the four Conference Championship Weekend finalists, in my opinion, isn’t all that great. That can vary from year to year, now. Despite all the injuries, Cleveland was poised for more than a Wild Card round exit this season. Who knows what may have happened if they had been in better health.
The core is in place, which is wonderful news. And at last there’s a well-established culture. Berry has the responsibility of assembling a team of players who will stick with that mentality. But from an X-ray and o-scope perspective, the Browns are in the clear. Stefanski calls plays really well. There is an identity for the defense. From here on, Watson is the main focus. The narrative around the 2024 Browns will probably center on who he is—or isn’t—as a quarterback.
