The Browns may have come up short in a 23-20 loss to the Bills in Week 16, but let’s be real - at this point in the season, the scoreboard isn’t the whole story. With playoff hopes out of reach, Cleveland is shifting focus to something just as important: player development. And right now, one of the most intriguing evaluations on the roster is happening at the center position.
Enter Luke Wypler.
The rookie center has been thrust into the spotlight following Ethan Pocic’s season-ending injury against Tennessee. With Pocic set to hit free agency this offseason, the Browns are using these final weeks to find out if Wypler could be more than just a stopgap - maybe even the long-term answer in the middle of the offensive line.
And so far? He’s making a pretty strong case.
Wypler’s been steady in limited action throughout the year, but with two starts now under his belt, he’s starting to show what he can do when given the full workload. He’s looked increasingly comfortable working with rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and his performance against Buffalo might’ve been his most complete game yet - even with a holding call that wiped out one of Cleveland’s best runs of the afternoon.
Let’s talk pass protection, because that’s where Wypler is quietly putting together some impressive tape. He posted a 75.4 pass-blocking grade against the Bills, and that wasn’t by accident.
Despite having shorter arms - typically a disadvantage for interior linemen - he’s making up for it with quick hands, smart placement, and the kind of anchor you don’t usually see from a rookie center. He stood his ground against Buffalo’s massive 6’7”, 330-pound defensive tackle Deone Walker, using leverage and footwork to keep the pocket clean.
That’s not easy to do, especially against a guy with that kind of size and power.
In the run game, Wypler’s mobility continues to shine. He’s showing the ability to climb to the second level and make key blocks in space - a crucial trait for the kind of zone-heavy schemes Cleveland likes to run.
When he’s got the angle, especially against shaded defenders, he can win quickly and create movement. But there’s still room to grow when it comes to handling nose tackles head-up in odd fronts.
That’s where he needs to build more lower-body strength and drive through contact. Right now, he’s better when he’s working angles than when he’s asked to go toe-to-toe in a phone booth.
One area that’s quietly stood out: communication. Wypler made several pre-snap adjustments against Buffalo, showing poise and command at the line.
For a young center, that’s a big deal. That position is often described as the quarterback of the offensive line - and Wypler is starting to look the part.
So what does this all mean moving forward?
If Wypler keeps trending upward over the final two weeks, the Browns could head into the offseason with a much clearer picture of their future at center. He’s not just filling in - he’s auditioning. And if he continues to stack solid performances, Cleveland might already have its 2026 starter in-house.
The Browns may not be playing for the playoffs, but they’re playing for answers. And right now, Luke Wypler is starting to give them some.