OFFICIAL: Five Browns players who won’t return if Cleveland misses the playoffs

If Cleveland misses the postseason, which Cleveland Browns player (or coach) wouldn’t return?

2023 was a pretty good year for the Cleveland Browns, but the team is on the verge of becoming another “what if” in franchise history. The Browns assembled one of the best defenses in the NFL this season, but lost franchise QB Deshaun Watson to a season-ending shoulder injury and superstar Nick Chubb to a knee injury that season ended.

As bad as those injuries were, the Browns were resilient. They are 7-4 with six games remaining and a very good chance to make the playoffs. But what if the Browns miss the postseason? Can any player or coach be fired?

It might not be fair to draft in every situation, but the Browns need to reevaluate their roster and coaching staff, regardless of how close this team appears to contend. 1. Darius Smith, EDGE

The Cleveland Browns signed Za’Darius Smith this offseason and he was a very nice addition to one of the most improved defensive fronts in the NFL. Smith contributed solidly with 13 QB hits, 2.5 sacks and 21 total pressures, but can the Browns really justify the cost of bringing him back in 2024?

I highly doubt it. Especially if this team doesn’t make the playoffs, they’ll have to make some roster sacrifices. But luckily they are in good hands here as Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is still under contract for next season and will make up the lion’s share of the roster alongside Alex Wright. . Sharing should be acceptable for some images.

2. Kevin Stefanski…offensive lineman

There can be a lot of coaching changes around the league, but I don’t see how the Cleveland Browns can justify Kevin Stefanski leaving given the amount of injuries the team has had to deal with and the coaching job he’s done. However, it was done. Stefanski is a good coach and “offensive coordinator” Alex Van Pelt, but if the Browns don’t make the playoffs in 2023, we could see a scenario where Van Pelt actually steps in to coordinate the offense in place of Stefanski in 2024. With so many teams making coaching changes, there’s a good chance Van Pelt will be a candidate. If the Browns want to keep him, they could make an internal move. If not, the Browns could look at other options at OC for 2024. 3. Kareem Hunt, RB

I guess you could say it’s a poor performance because I don’t think Kareem Hunt will be back in Cleveland in 2024, whether or not the team makes the playoffs. Hunt was sent back to the Browns after Nick Chubb’s injury, so we’re working under the assumption that Chubb will be back in 2024, and given the way Jerome Ford has played this season, I don’t think there’s any reason to rule it out . bringing him back. Hunt again. Kind of a foreign game before the postseason.

Hunt returned to anchor the Browns in the backfield, contributing six touchdowns, his most since 2020 (11). That said, the Browns could get a good running back at some point in the NFL draft to round out their depth at the position.

4. Shelby Harris, D.L.

The Cleveland Browns really put a lot of work into their defensive front before the 2023 season, and adding Shelby Harris was a very underrated move for them. He recorded four tackles, 1.5 sacks and four pass deflections in 11 games. Long passing has been a big part of Shelby Harris’ game and it’s a big asset he brings. They might not look as sexy on the stat sheet as sacks, but tackles also help you get off the field defensively. Unfortunately, I don’t know if the Browns will be able to bring Harris back next year. This is especially true if the team misses the postseason. Harris likely has multiple one-year contract offers elsewhere, and the Browns will have to figure out what to do to bring back players like Jordan Elliott and Maurice Hurst, who have been big contributors this year. 5. Elijah Moore, WR

I think it was a pretty good decision, but I think it’s also fair to say that things didn’t go the way the Browns expected with Elijah Moore. Maybe they should evaluate him as much as possible this season. Because I’m not sure if it’s a good fit.

He has just 418 yards on 43 receptions (9.7 per catch) this season, and even with Moore on the field, Amari Cooper still has a lot of work to do to keep the Browns’ passing game going. I think the Browns could look at the investment they made (in terms of cap space) and decide that drafting him at the end of 2024 is better than keeping him on the roster for another year and make him train in 2025. .