Dawgs By Nature
GM Andrew Berry has had equal portions of success and failure
The Cleveland Browns hired Andrew Berry as their General Manager on January 27, 2020. He had been with Cleveland from 2016-2018 as the vice president of player personnel before moving on to the Philadelphia Eagles as their vice president of football operations. The Browns called and inked him to the GM position one year later.
Browns head coach Hue Jackson had been fired in late October to which DC Gregg Williams took over. After the season, the new head coach, Kevin Stefanski, was hired on January 13, so that was one less thing for Berry to do right off.
Taking care of existing players and deciding which ones to re-sign took priority. Then, it was time to focus on free agency and a month later the 2020 NFL draft.
The very first player Berry signed to the Browns was FB Johnny Stanton who was released and then re-signed to the practice squad several times. Stanton did make five appearances on the active roster with just three carries.
The NFL college draft is the best avenue to build a roster into a competitive team. Contracts are also salary cap friendly, especially in the later stages of the agreement.
However, the free agency period is also an essential portion of roster building. Seasoned veterans who have been allowed to seek employment elsewhere begin filling in holes with able athletes who are plug-and-play. This year, free agents can be signed beginning March 12, with the legal tampering period March 10-12.
The 2025 free agency period will be Berry’s sixth with Cleveland. The Browns finished the 2024 season tied for the worst record in the league at 3-14-0 and it is Berry’s signings that provide the coaching staff what they need as far as players.
On the current roster are several guys who he signed to not just compete for a job, but to come in and be starters. There are other players that have come and gone who did not develop as first thought.
Now that the Super Bowl is completed, it is time to focus on the free agency period. After five free agent classes, how has Berry done with his signings?
Let’s take a look at this “Free-Agent Edition” of Brownies & Frownies.
OT Jack Conklin (signed in 2020) – The talented right tackle has been a roller coaster as far as a starting player. When he plays, Conklin is arguably the best free-agent player Berry has signed. The fact that Conklin has been injured multiple times is not the player’s fault nor Berry’s.
Concussions, ankle, shoulder, knee, and multiple hamstring issues have plagued Conklin during his stint with the Browns. The end result is 34 missed games in his five-year term in Cleveland. That equates to 40% of the games listed on the schedule.
Still, when he plays, he is an exceptional pass-blocker and veteran leader.
P Corey Bojorquez (signed in 2022) – The Green Bay...
