Cleveland Browns’ Path Back to Relevance Starts with Two Crucial Moves
Let’s be honest - the Cleveland Browns haven’t exactly been a model of NFL stability over the past few years. For a fanbase starving for postseason success, even sniffing the playoffs would feel like a parade-worthy achievement. But if you're looking at recent power rankings, the road back to contention might be longer than fans would like to admit.
In a recent breakdown of how close each non-playoff team is to returning to contention, the Browns were slotted 16th - third from the bottom. Only the Jets and Raiders were ranked lower. That’s not exactly encouraging, but it’s also not the end of the story.
The Watson Dilemma and the Cap Crunch
It’s impossible to talk about the Browns' current state without addressing the Deshaun Watson trade. The franchise went all-in, sending a haul of picks to Houston and handing Watson a fully guaranteed contract.
That deal now looms large, with a staggering $80 million cap hit in 2026. It’s a number that handcuffs roster flexibility and magnifies every roster decision.
Watson was supposed to be the answer under center, but instead, the position remains one of the team’s biggest question marks. The Browns took swings on Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in last year’s draft, and while both got some run during the season, neither separated himself as the clear starter moving forward. That leaves Cleveland in a familiar spot: still searching for a franchise quarterback.
Talent Isn’t the Issue - It’s the Foundation
Despite the bleak outlook, it’s not all doom and gloom in Cleveland. Myles Garrett continues to be a game-wrecker on the edge, fresh off breaking the sack record.
He’s now paired with Mason Graham, last year’s top-five pick, forming a defensive front that can cause serious problems for opposing offenses. And let’s not overlook Quinshon Judkins, who brought some much-needed juice to the backfield and looks like a real building block.
Add in promising young contributors like Carson Schwesinger and Harold Fannin Jr., and you start to see the makings of a core. This isn’t a roster devoid of talent - it’s a roster that lacks direction. That starts at the top.
The Coaching Pivot That Could Change Everything
If there’s one thing the NFL teaches us every year, it’s that turnarounds can happen fast. Just look at the 2025 playoff picture.
The Broncos and Seahawks - two teams that hadn’t tasted playoff success in years - entered the postseason as the top seeds in their respective conferences. The Jaguars, who many Browns fans had their eyes on after a draft-day trade, surged to a division title on the back of an eight-game win streak.
But the real eye-openers? The Bears and Patriots.
Chicago went 5-12 in 2024, New England 4-13. Fast forward a year, and both won playoff games.
The difference? Coaching.
The Bears brought in Ben Johnson, an offensive mind who unlocked their young talent. The Patriots turned to franchise legend Mike Vrabel, whose leadership helped right the ship in Foxborough. Those moves paid off in a big way - 25 combined regular-season wins and a pair of playoff victories.
For the Browns, this is the blueprint. They’ve got a head coach vacancy and a chance to reset the culture. Nail that hire, and everything changes.
Quarterback Questions and Draft Realities
Of course, even the best coaching can only go so far without a quarterback. That’s the next box Cleveland needs to check.
The problem? This year’s draft class isn’t exactly overflowing with elite QB prospects, and Dante Moore’s decision to return to Oregon thinned the pool even more.
Still, the Browns aren’t without assets. They’ve stockpiled draft picks and already hit on several players from last year’s class. If they can find the right signal-caller - whether it’s through the draft, a trade, or free agency - and pair him with a strong coaching hire, the pieces could fall into place quicker than expected.
Don’t Count Them Out Just Yet
Yes, the Browns have work to do. The Watson contract is a financial anchor, the quarterback room is unsettled, and the franchise is once again searching for a head coach. But this is the NFL - where worst-to-first stories aren’t just possible, they’re routine.
Cleveland has talent. They have draft capital.
And they have an opportunity to hit the reset button with a new coach. If they make the right moves, there’s no reason this team can’t be 2026’s version of the Bears or Patriots - a team that flips the narrative and crashes the playoff party.
The road back won’t be easy, but in a league built on parity and unpredictability, the Browns are just a few key decisions away from turning things around.