CLEVELAND — Recent efforts by owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam to secure funding for a new domed multipurpose stadium in the Cleveland suburbs have coincided with a disastrous season for their football team. The Browns’ season reached a new low following a disappointing 35-14 defeat against the New Orleans Saints, who outscored Cleveland 21-0 in the fourth quarter, transforming a competitive game into a lopsided loss.
The game saw Taysom Hill of the Saints deliver a crushing blow to the Browns with a 75-yard touchdown run that proved to be a significant blow considering the ease with which he found the end zone. This loss to a struggling team with a mere three wins has led to intense scrutiny of player effort, raising concerns that major changes may be on the horizon for a franchise that made it to the playoffs last year but entered this season with high hopes of contending for the Super Bowl.
Currently sitting at 2-8, the Browns brace for a challenging schedule ahead, starting with a home game against Pittsburgh on Thursday, and the likelihood of an organizational shakeup looms large. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and General Manager Andrew Berry, both of whom received contract extensions in the summer, are under significant pressure and may be fighting to retain their positions.
In the aftermath of the defeat, Stefanski reiterated the team’s need for improvement, a statement that has become a familiar refrain and one that frustrates fans. The team’s struggles have permeated every aspect of their play, making it difficult to assign blame to a single individual.
“Very disappointing,” Stefanski expressed during a press call. “Disappointing going into the fourth quarter with a chance and then not finishing that game. We all share this; it’s an offense, defense, special teams, players, and coaches situation.”
Despite the shared responsibility, it’s clear that not everyone may face the consequences. It would be unjust to assign blame solely on Stefanski, who has seen some success, including two playoff appearances in five seasons and features a record just above .500 with the Browns. However, he continued to start Deshaun Watson longer than advisable until Watson’s recent Achilles injury has taken him out for the remainder of the season. Generally liked and respected by his players, Stefanski’s situation is precarious.
Meanwhile, Berry’s history in drafting players has been questioned, and injuries to key positions have not helped the situation. The Haslams previously commended the duo’s collaborative efforts when announcing their contract extensions, reassuring fans that they saw a bright future for the franchise.
Now, that optimism appears diminished. Offensively, the Browns have seen progress, especially from Jameis Winston, who threw for 395 yards and two touchdowns in his return to New Orleans. Beyond performance, Winston’s leadership and joyful personality are aiding the team in maintaining their competitiveness as they prepare for a probable transition to a young quarterback next year due to Watson’s uncertain future.
Defensively, however, the situation is grim compared to last year when the Browns boasted the league’s top defense. Communication breakdowns previously resulted in touchdowns that contributed to losses, and during the game against the Saints, tackling issues allowed for 473 offensive yards amassed by New Orleans.
On a positive note, cornerback Denzel Ward recorded his first interception of the season and is enjoying one of his best years yet, while also forcing and recovering a fumble.
Conversely, kicker Dustin Hopkins had a dismal performance, missing three field goals during the first half—one of which was negated by a penalty—marking an astonishing downturn for a typically reliable kicker who signed a lucrative three-year contract in July.
Injury woes have compounded the team’s difficulties, with left tackle Dawand Jones sidelined for the rest of the season due to a broken leg caused by a teammate’s fall. As Jones’ unfortunate situation unfolded, there’s speculation about Jedrick Wills Jr. returning to the field, although he faces his own knee injury challenges.
As Winston’s performance continues to shine—passing for 964 yards across three starts compared to Watson’s 1,148 yards in seven starts—the Browns now face the uphill battle of preparing for a crucial game against the Steelers, who have struggled in recent visits to Cleveland.
With the season’s outlook appearing bleak, the discussions surrounding potential restructuring are likely to grow as urgency for improvement intensifies.