The Browns have spent the offseason drawing praise for a clear direction, even with the Myles Garrett trade still hanging over the conversation and the quarterback situation unresolved. Cleveland has leaned into youth and future draft capital while trying to reshape both the offensive line and the receiver room, and that approach has earned plenty of approval.
Still, not every move is getting a clean pass.
ESPN’s Seth Walder handed the Browns a “B+” for the offseason, but he singled out two offensive line decisions he didn’t love. On Zion Johnson, Walder wrote, “But I didn’t like the pricier (Zion) Johnson deal as much and did not understand the (Tytus) Howard trade at all.”
He also pointed to the cost of bringing in Howard, noting that Cleveland traded a draft pick to give him strong money even though his recent performance hasn’t been especially convincing. Walder cited Howard’s poor numbers from last season, when he ranked in the 24th and 31st percentiles in pass block and run block win rate, respectively.
The skepticism makes sense on more than just the numbers. Quality offensive linemen are hard to find, and young ones like Johnson and tackles like Howard usually aren’t available through free agency or trades without some risk attached. That’s what makes these two moves stand out as the biggest questions among the Browns’ offseason additions.
For Cleveland fans, though, any help up front is easy to welcome after how rough the line looked last season. Even with the positive grade, Walder’s concerns could trim expectations a bit for the Browns’ starting five this year.
In Other News...
Browns Fans May Hate Why The Myles Garrett Trade Matters
Clevelands Myles Garrett trade is the kind of move that only makes full sense if youre thinking years ahead, not weeks. The Browns chose to reset around draft capital and a young pass rusher, a sign Andrew Berry is still building with patience and keeping the quarterback picture flexible instead of forcing a short-term answer.
The logic is hard to miss: Berry is preserving options for a bigger swing at the position down the road, with the 2027 draft looming as the more obvious target window. For a fan base that would rather be talking about wins now, it is a sober reminder that this season is being treated more like a bridge than a destination. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Have A Real AFC North Opening If One Problem Changes
The AFC North does not look nearly as closed off as it did a year ago, and that is giving Cleveland a window worth watching. Baltimore has a rookie head coach, Cincinnati keeps finding ways to trip over itself, and Pittsburgh still has questions hanging over both quarterback and age on the roster, which leaves the Browns with a path that would have seemed much tougher on paper not long ago.
Cleveland still has plenty to sort out on its own side, though, especially after the changes on defense and in the coaching staff. The bigger issue is whether the offense can do just enough to let the rest of the roster matter, because the Browns do not need a miracle as much as steady quarterback play and a competent supporting cast to stay in the race through 2026. [Read more 🡒]