Four Cleveland Browns who could be playing their last game as a franchise
With the 2023 campaign over, these four players could be nearing the end of their tenure with the Cleveland Browns.
With less than a month and a half left in the regular season, the Cleveland Browns are in the midst of playoff contention. It was difficult for me to overcome a series of injuries. Not only are Nick Chubb, Deshaun Watson and Jack Conklin out, but Denzel Ward and Myles Garrett are also dealing with shoulder injuries (Garrett’s injury is not considered serious).
Despite all the injuries, this team continues to fight hard. They suffered a loss in Week 12, but had won three in a row before that. That’s a testament to the depth of this roster and the trust they have in each other. Of course, in the NFL, when teams click like this, rosters don’t change for long. Here are four players who could be heading into their final week with the Browns. 4. Harrison Bryant, T.E.
Former Florida Atlantic fourth-round pick Harrison Bryant had an up-and-down tenure with the Browns. He was a solid TE3 early in his career, but struggled in the TE2 role in 2022. He’s been on the field with Jordan Akins a lot this year. But he hasn’t been targeted often, having only thrown 10 passes so far. He took half of them, but only gained 12 yards. But he has two hands. Bryant was also used at quarterback when fewer yards were needed. Despite his belief in the red zone and fourth downs, Bryant is unlikely to return in 2024. He hasn’t signed a big contract, but Cleveland could trade him for someone who makes less money in the red zone. Subsequent rounds of the project. 3. Marquis Goodwin, WR
Two years later, it’s clear that Anthony Schwartz will never be the big threat the Browns hoped he would be. He had all the speed to go deep, but his direction and inconsistent hands ultimately proved to be his downfall. So Andrew Berry went out and signed veteran Marquis Goodwin. Goodwin, a former Olympian, was 32 when he signed but can still build a defense. Unlike Schwartz, he is also a refined route runner. Cleveland had big plans on offense, but they haven’t accomplished much after 11 games.
Goodwin, who hasn’t played since suffering a concussion against the Cardinals in Week 9, had 10 yards on three receptions and 33 yards on four carries. At the same time, we can safely say that this signing did not go according to plan.
That’s not all for Goodwin. He missed most of the preseason with blood clots in his legs and lungs. The offense also faced a revolving door at quarterback. As if that wasn’t enough, he is currently suffering from a concussion. That means Goodwin could be a unique player in Cleveland. They tried to catch the man who posed a major threat, but again to no avail. Now they could try again in the 2024 offseason, when they will most likely look for the draft.
- Shelby Harris, DT
As the regular season approached, the Browns realized they needed more depth on their defensive line. It was already a necessity, but when Perion Winfrey forced her arms, they became too thin. So Cleveland went out and signed Shelby Harris. Harris is an eight-year veteran who was never a superstar, but he is a very talented defensive tackle. He has plenty of experience with 98 appearances and 64 starts. With the Browns, he appeared in all 11 games and was a regular member of the defensive line rotation, though he made only three starts.
As is often the case with big center players, Harris does much of the dirty work and doesn’t add to the stats. So far, he has 21 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He also showed great awareness at the line of scrimmage with four interceptions. While his quarterback work is a huge plus, Harris is also adept at stopping the run. That was a big concern in 2022, and Harris is one of the main reasons he could do better in 2023. However, it may not return until 2024.
Harris was signed because Ika Siacchi wasn’t ready to play a big role in this defense. But now that the rookie has completed his entire exhibition season, the Browns will surely give him every opportunity to see more snaps in 2024. Additionally, they could spend their available money on a veteran defensive player in Jordan Elliott. Or Maurice Hearst, who are both younger than Harris.
- Kareem Hunt, RB
Never say never, especially since last year it was believed to be true. But it looks like this may be the end for Kareem Hunt. The 2017 NFL leader got a second chance at success with his hometown team. He is four years behind Nick Chubb and could hit the open market in 2023. Hunt made several visits, but ultimately began the regular season without a team. Then Chubb suffered a serious knee injury and the Browns turned to Hunt. He eventually re-signed and assumed the role of veteran backup and shortstop.
Entering Week 13, Hunt had 286 yards and six touchdowns. Those numbers are decent for a backup, but he’s still averaging 3.2 yards per attempt. He clearly lost a step and his approach in Week 12 was concerning as he seemed to run right into traffic even though he had space. Hunt will be 28 when the 2024 season begins, which is the age at which running backs typically fall, especially given his lack of momentum this year. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that they will return. Hunt deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done for the Browns, but it’s time for more pop behind him.
