5 most important storylines ahead of the Browns season

Yahoo

27-05-2025

The Cleveland Browns head into the 2025 season with an earful of criticisms. The team is recoiling from a disappointing 2024 season, when it went 3-14 due to horrendous quarterback play. Over the years, the Browns thought they built a perennial playoff contender. However, last season, they were forced to sell off their talent at the deadline.
The organization has spent the last half of the year reloading its talent. Most notably, they traded the second pick in the NFL draft to the Jaguars for the fifth pick and a 2026 first-round pick. The organization passed on the chance to draft Travis Hunter, the Heisman award winner, for Mason Graham and a future pick.
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The Browns will most likely spend 2025 looking toward the future. There are a lot of problems on their roster that could take years to address. The team will require a lot of players to step up if the team wishes to be competitive. The Browns are looking at a tumultuous season shrouded in rumors. Here are the five most important storylines in the Browns' 2025 season.
1. Who will start at QB?
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Joe Flacco #15 throws the ball against the New York Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by)
The Browns currently have five quarterbacks on their roster. One of the oldest clichés in football is that if a team has two quarterbacks, then it has zero quarterbacks. I would hate to see the math on the Browns' quarterback room. The group is composed of misfit quarterbacks on their last legs, and a duo of overlooked rookies. The group is odd, but the Browns just need one of the quarterback options to work.
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The quarter-of-a-billion-dollar albatross is unlikely to play this season after tearing his Achilles tendon twice in three months. The injury usually takes a year to heal, but modern surgical techniques have reduced recovery to six months. I think Deshaun Watson is unlikely to play this season. I think he'll find his home on the physically unable to perform list this season.
The Browns will likely rely on one of their veteran options. The team brought back Joe Flacco, who helped lead the team to the playoffs in 2023. They're hoping to recreate the magic this year. The Browns traded for Kenny Pickett, who is in the final year of his rookie deal. He'll be an important rehab project for Kevin Stefanski.
Stefanski will have his hands full developing two rookie quarterbacks. The Browns shocked the NFL by selecting Dillon Gabriel at the end of the third round. The team sent another shockwave through the league by drafting Shedeur Sanders the following day. The approach seems haphazard and scatter-shot, but a broad approach is what the Browns need. The team needs to find its future franchise quarterback. They'll likely cycle through the group to find a starting signal-caller. The position will be a hot-button issue all season as fans stubbornly support whoever they think is the best option. None of the options will likely succeed for the Browns. The quarterbacks will probably lead the Browns to the top of the draft instead of the playoffs.
2. Swim or Sink Start
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) intercepts a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) in the end zone in the first quarter of the NFL Week 9 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. Cleveland led 24-10 at halftime. Cleveland Browns At Cincinnati Bengals Week 9
The Browns have a difficult start to the season. The Browns' first six games involve opponents in either the AFC North or the NFC North. The Browns open against the Bengals, before taking on the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns have a great opportunity to jump to the top of the division standings. The team follows up with games against the Packers, Lions, and Vikings. The team finishes their sixth week against the Steelers. All six opponents had winning seasons last year, and five had 10 wins or more.
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The team doesn't catch a break until the middle of October when they face the AFC East. The Browns must avoid a slow start to the season if they want to compete in the playoffs. It's difficult for teams to dig themselves out of a hole early in the season.
The team will know where it stands by the middle of October, and fans should know sooner. They'll either prepare for a playoff push or play NFL draft simulators. The start of the season will be a tough crucible for the Browns.
3. Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward
Nov 5, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns' two defensive superstars will be the most important players to watch this season. Myles Garrett made offseason news when he demanded a trade from the Browns. The team was able to smooth things over with their superstar pass rusher with a contract extension. However, money isn't the cure-all in the NFL–winning is. The Browns need to win to keep Garrett happy. Stats and accolades may keep him complacent, but the team needs to win games to keep him here. The Browns will need to keep Garrett pleased over the next few years. The media will happily host him to air out his complaints and grievances. Of course, Garrett is worth the media circus. He has a chance to end his career as one of the best pass rushers in NFL history. The team has a responsibility to build a Super Bowl roster around him.
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Denzel Ward has been one of the best cornerbacks since he was drafted in 2018. But, he hasn't received the media recognition his stats and contract have earned him. Ward recently turned 28 years old and is in the prime of his career. However, the hometown Hero may feel like his best chance to win is somewhere else. Ward is a special player, but he has a long and uncomfortable concussion history. While he's always brushed off concerns in public, it could lead him to strongly consider how much time he has left in the league. Ward's playing his best football in years, and he's improved his ball skills. He could be a lockdown cornerback for a playoff team looking to make a push for the Super Bowl. The Browns could be sellers at the trade deadline once again.
4. Rookie Impact
Browns DT Mason Graham
The Browns infused their roster with talent in the 2025 NFL draft. The team added five players in the top-100 picks, and their last two additions were top-150 picks. The team surrendered a lot of draft capital in the Deshaun Watson trade. They only had a handful of top-100 picks over the previous three drafts. The team needs the rookies to make an immediate impact.
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Fans expect a lot from the group, starting with the fifth pick, Mason Graham. The Browns passed up Travis Hunter for him, and their careers will always be compared. Graham is an incredibly talented defensive tackle with a great understanding of leverage. Graham can develop into an anchor in the middle of the line of scrimmage. He'll have a lot of advantageous matchups playing with Myles Garrett. Graham should adjust quickly to the NFL.
The rest of the rookies should become integral parts of the team by the end of the season. Carson Schwesinger will join Graham in strengthening the spine of the Browns' defense. He'll have much on his plate with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah out for the season. On offense, rookie running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson will try to become the next great Browns' running back duo. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. should see the field fairly often as part of a revitalized Browns' passing attack. The two rookie quarterbacks should help in that area. The Browns will rely heavily on their rookies during the upcoming season. Each rookie will see their lion's share of playing time.
5. The Hot Seat
Browns managing and principal partner Jimmy Haslam (right) laughs with executive vice president of football operations Andrew Berry before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Nov. 27, 2022, in Cleveland.
The most important Browns' storyline heading into the 2025 NFL season is whether head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry will keep their job after the season. The duo has had the most success with the Browns, since the team's return. However, that may not be enough to save their job if they have another disappointing season. Stefanski is another losing season away from being well under a .500 win percentage across his career. He might not be able to salvage his overall record if the season goes off the rails. General manager Andrew Berry helped facilitate the worst trade in NFL history.
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While owner Jimmy Haslam has shouldered most of the blame for the trade, no one walked away from it unscathed. It will be interesting to see if Haslam allows Berry to search for another quarterback if the team fails. Fans were very divided at the end of the season over Berry and Stefanski staying with the team. I am a big believer in Berry and Stefanski's vision, but they need to execute that vision as soon as possible. They might not get another chance to fix the Browns. The two will need to defend their jobs all season.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: 5 most important storylines ahead of the Browns season