The Cleveland Browns Are Proof That Winning The Off-Season Doesn’t Always Work

A year ago at this time the Cleveland Browns, under General Manager John Dorsey, were in the early stages of “winning the off-season” – in hindsight, fatally so.

In hindsight, it’s a case study, and a cautionary tale, for those who bestow and celebrate such titles and designations. Because there’s nothing more franchise and fan base-rattling than winning the off-season, then losing the real season.

Take it from the Browns, who are still trying to recover from “winning the off-season” last year.

Here’s the laundry list, with the outcomes graded, of the “winning the off-season” decisions made a year ago that, well, can only be best described today as “it seemed like a good idea at the time.”

JANUARY 9: Hired Freddie Kitchens as head coach.

In the words of Bob Uecker, “JUST a bit outside.”

Whew! Even by the Browns’ well-earned reputation for missing the mark, this was a whiff of monumental proportions. So much so that it’s easy to forget that at the time, Kitchens’ hiring was applauded by some – not all, but some – who thought it was a bold, creative, visionary call by Dorsey.

The previous year the Browns’ offense, and quarterback Baker Mayfield, took off when Kitchens took over as offensive coordinator at mid-season. Dorsey connected the dots, pushed his chips to the center of the table and hired the soon-to-be-revealed over-matched Kitchens, a decision that, in the end, cost both men their jobs. GRADE: F-minus.

MARCH 13: Traded guard Kevin Zeitler to the Giants for defensive end Olivier Vernon.

The Browns’ offensive line was a disaster in 2019, and one of the reasons for that was Zeitler was no longer a part of it. He never was adequately replaced, while the player they received for him from the Giants, Vernon, a Pro Bowl selection in 2018, wasn’t much of a factor at all on the Browns defensive line. Plus, Vernon only played 10 games due to knee issues. Plus, Vernon will be the Browns’ highest paid player this year at $15.2 million (non-guaranteed), assuming he isn’t cut. GRADE: D.

MARCH 13: Traded safety Jabrill Peppers, and their first-round pick (17th overall) and third-round pick in the 2019 draft to the Giants for Odell Beckham Jr.

Beckham was supposed to electrify the Browns’ offense, but he and it mostly shorted out in 2019. Some of Beckham’s numbers look respectable – 74 receptions for 1,035 yards – but he had the fewest receptions per game, fewest receiving yards per game, lowest catch %, and second fewest touchdowns in his career.

Throw in all the other distractions (equipment violations, lack of chemistry with Mayfield, uniform violations, sideline arguments), and this wasn’t the version of Beckham the Browns traded for. GRADE: D.

APRIL 2: Traded defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah to Kansas City for cornerback Eric Murray.

Among Browns players, only Myles Garrett had more sacks than the 5.5 Ogbah had in 10 games for the Chiefs. Murray missed about half the season with a knee injury, and wasn’t much of a factor in the games he did play. He recently signed a three-year $20 million contract with the Houston Texans. GRADE: D.

APRIL 26: Traded their second-round (49th overall) and fifth round picks in the 2019 draft to Indianapolis for the Colts’ second-round pick (46th overall), which they used to select cornerback Greedy Williams.

Williams started 12 games and missed the rest with a hamstring injury. He didn’t record an interception and had an average at-best season overall. But he’s young (22), athletic, plays a key position, and came from a big-time program (LSU). He can only get better. GRADE: C.

AUGUST 8: Traded running back Duke Johnson to Houston for a third-round pick in the 2020 draft.

This was subtraction by subtraction. Johnson was unhappy with his playing time, which figured to be reduced even more with the arrival of Kareem Hunt. Johnson had a nice year in Houston, with identical yards (410) in both rushing and receiving, and scoring five touchdowns. But Hunt, who was underused by Kitchens, should be a much bigger factor this year under new coach Kevin Stefanski. GRADE: N/A.

AUGUST 29: Traded fifth and sixth round picks in the 2020 draft to Buffalo for guard Wyatt Teller and a seventh-round pick in the 2021 draft.

All you need to know about the Browns’ offensive line last year is that a guard who started nine games was acquired for a fifth and sixth round draft pick. GRADE: C.

Obviously, not all these transactions led to the Browns being declared the winners of the off-season. The Kitchens decision alone weighted far more heavily than any of the others, and was the single biggest mistake, since it impacted all phases of the team. But there were also egos, agendas and a lack of leadership and chemistry at work.

The bottom line: The Browns made a lot of noise in the off-season a year ago. A lot of people noticed, a lot of people got excited, and a lot of people said they won the off-season.

Then the real season started.



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