Dawgs By Nature
Horrible season, Myles Garrett trade request puts big pressure on Andrew Berry, Browns front office
Since the Cleveland Browns returned after moving away in 1995, the team has been struggling to get back to where they were before “The Move.” Multiple quarterback changes, multiple regime changes, losing after losing seasons. At some point, it can wear on a fan’s psyche and it can lead to that fan switching teams. This past season, the team had high hopes of contending for a Super Bowl but instead is looking towards drafting with the second overall pick in this upcoming draft.
To make matters worse, their star defensive player Myles Garrett has requested a trade and it has led people to doubt whether the Browns can get back to contending.
As mentioned in previous articles, the Browns aren’t some inept organization. What do you mean by that?
Believe it or not, Cleveland has been competent for the past couple of years. Since 2018, the team has been to the playoffs twice, won a playoff game and has two winning seasons.
Yes, the team has had three losing seasons and two of those seasons had 10+ losses. After the 2020 season in which the team won a playoff game since 1994, many believed that the Browns were building something. First-year head coach Kevin Stefanski won Coach of the Year and first year general manager Andrew Berry helped build a Browns roster worthy of playoff contention.
Some might have agreed it was enough, but it wasn’t. Moving off quarterback Baker Mayfield was controversial to some but Cleveland decided to take a swing. Swinging for someone like quarterback Deshaun Watson wasn’t ideal (hindsight is 20/20) but it made sense at the time.
The move didn’t work out, as Watson was never able to re-capture his Houston form with the Browns and his career is likely over after he re-tore his Achilles. After the team won 11 games in 2023, they won only 3 this past season and the Browns find themselves in a difficult position.
So the question everyone wants to know: How will the Browns front office respond after a disastrous season?
To be blunt, they have no choice. The front office has made some good moves and some bad. Having to possibly trade a beloved figure in Garrett makes their jobs much more difficult but the Browns aren’t budging so far.
The team also has to find another quarterback. Again. Not ideal. People are expecting the team to cave in, trade Garrett and start over, but I don’t believe it. Instead, they are going to fix the mess that they created.
Was it preventable? Sure, but they have no choice but to move on. This offseason will be crucial. Can the Browns front office prove themselves again and have a strong offseason to have the fans believing in them again? We will see!
