Sunday brings an end to another miserable season for Cleveland Browns fans. Will 2026 be a season where this franchise starts to turn it around? Let's help out owner Jimmy Haslam with some New Year's Resolutions!
1. A Fresh Start
Rumors are swirling about the Browns conducting preliminary searches for a new head coach, and meeting with former NFL general managers. After six seasons together the Kevin Stefanski/Andrew Berry duo has grown as stale as a Christmas fruitcake.
Time to freshen up this team with a new coach, GM, and direction.
Despite two NFL Coach of the Year awards, Stefanski's offense continues to rank amongst the lowest points-per-game totals for a second straight season. Penalties, lack of discipline, and player accountability have not improved over his tenure.
Andrew Berry's blind spots for drafting offensive linemen, wide receivers, and quarterback evaluation are shockingly bad. Yes, this year's rookie crop shows a lot of positives, but can we really trust this regime to select and develop a franchise QB?
MORE: NFL coaching carousel: Browns top head coach candidates
2. Eliminate these words from ownership's vocabulary
"Collaboration" and "analytics". These over used, empty buzzwords drive the Dawg Pound nuts! This "collective think" under now departed chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta was grossly unsuccessful during his tenure.
It led to a 1-31 record over two seasons, and the worst trade/contract in NFL history when they acquired Deshaun Watson. The crippling salary cap impact from the Watson deal will be felt for years to come.
In the mean time, go in the opposite direction Mr. Haslam. The Ivy league, analytics heavy (Browns possess the largest analytics department in the NFL) "outside the box" thinking flunked. Back to hard-nosed football minded people in charge please and thank you.
3. Focus on significant offensive line improvement
A new coach and scheme will only be effective if the men up front aren't turnstiles. Injuries and poor drafting have led to the collapse of the once proud offensive line.
There may be as many as four new starters needed across the O-Line in 2026.
- Stalwart left guard Joel Bitonio may retire.
- Center Ethan Pocic's devastating injury and pending free agency, makes third-year player Luke Wypler's development over the last couple of games even more important.
- Injury riddled right tackle Jack Conklin isn't coming back, and his heir apparent Dawand Jones also can't stay healthy.
- Right guard Wyatt Teller is part of some sort of internal turmoil, and is expected to be too expensive to re-sign in free agency.
- Left tackle has become a revolving door, currently held down by the below average Cam Robinson.
4. Acquire true play-making wide receivers
The club's No.1 WR Jerry Jeudy is tied for the league lead in dropped passes (10), and has a total of two touchdowns for a measly 585-yards. Big bodied Cedric Tillman always seems to be banged up, while speedy rookie Isaiah Bond is just now showing some downfield flashes.
When your offensive leader in catches, yards, and touchdowns is a first-year tight end (Harold Fannin Jr.), then upgrading the wide receiver position needs to be a priority on a Browns New Year's Resolution list!
Adding a legitimate WR-1 in the draft should be a top focus for what will hopefully be a new front office.
So a toast to you Jimmy Haslam to finally get this whole 'running a football team' thing right in 2026. Happy New Year!
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