CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns step into the 2025 NFL season amid a whirlwind of headlines, unresolved drama and cautious optimism. Here’s what to watch as the team tries to rebuild after a disappointing 3–14 campaign a year ago.
Roster Moves and Draft Highlights
The Browns leaned heavily on defense in this year’s draft. First-round pick Mason Graham — a disruptive force on the interior — and second-round linebacker Carson Schwesinger bring fresh youth and depth to an already stout front.
In the offseason, Cleveland addressed veteran leadership under center by signing 40-year-old Joe Flacco. His experience, including his 2013 Super Bowl MVP and familiarity with coach Kevin Stefanski’s system, prevailed over several younger contenders.
Quarterback Quagmire: Flacco Takes Heat, But Questions Remain
Flacco earned the Week 1 starter nod following a competitive training camp that included rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, and QB Kenny Pickett — all hampered by injuries or inconsistency. Deshaun Watson’s attempted return from a ruptured Achilles adds further uncertainty, though any on-field impact remains speculative.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski now faces a delicate balancing act: leaning on Flacco’s steadiness while keeping developing talent like Sanders and Gabriel sharp, and managing the cap-strained Watson’s recovery. The front office must also trim the roster — the league rarely carries more than three quarterbacks.
Rookie Concerns: Judkins’ Legal Cloud
Running back Quinshon Judkins, selected 36th overall, remains unsigned following a July arrest on misdemeanor domestic battery charges. While prosecutors ultimately declined to pursue charges, citing insufficient evidence, the NFL continues to investigate. Judkins’ absence from training camp has left the backfield picture murky heading into September.
Defensive Anchor Recommits: Garrett Extension
Star defensive end Myles Garrett resolved his future in Cleveland by signing a monster four-year, $160 million extension — with more than $123 million guaranteed — on March 14. The richest contract ever awarded to a non-quarterback cements Garrett’s elite status and gives the defense a cornerstone to build around.
Season Outlook & Vegas Odds
Oddsmakers peg the Browns’ 2025 win total low — an over/under placed at 4.5 wins, the lowest in the NFL. Some projection models look slightly higher, in the 5.5-win range, though most expect the Browns to finish under that mark amid continued instability at quarterback.
Coach Stefanski’s Tightrope
Kevin Stefanski faces an unusually complex scenario. He must mesh a veteran QB with a flurry of unproven signal-callers, manage a rookie running back’s legal distractions, and navigate expectations built on a dominant defensive star’s massive extension. The pressure is palpable — one misstep and momentum could slip away quickly.
Realistic Season Goals
With the offense unsettled and defensive support urgent, Cleveland will aim for incremental progress. A target of 5–6 wins could represent growth; anything approaching playoff contention would require significant midseason breakthroughs, especially from the QB room. A bounce-back to .500 seems unlikely — but not impossible if the offense stabilizes.
Looking Beyond 2025
Cleveland’s long-term path hinges on quarterback clarity. If Flacco steadies the ship while giving way mid-season to a young QB, it could celebrate a successful transition. Judkins’ situation needs resolution, as the RB room demands clarity. Defensively, the team is built to compete — Garrett, Graham, Schwesinger, and others provide a base for sustained identity.
But patience is essential. The 2025 season is less about turning the corner and more about laying bricks: stabilizing the QB position, navigating off-field drama, and capitalizing on defensive strength.
Summary
- QB room chaos settles (for now) behind Flacco, but long-term uncertainty endures.
- Judkins’ legal troubles cloud the RB picture.
- Garrett’s extension cements defensive leadership and raises performance expectations.
- Win total projections remain low — 4.5 is consensus, with modest optimism toward 5–6.
- Stefanski’s challenge: blend veterans and rookies amid distractions and deliver a clear plan beyond 2025.
The Browns enter the season with cautious realism. Improvement on the scoreboard will hinge on off-field stability, quarterback performance and whether Cleveland can keep up defensively while the offense finds its footing.
