The Cleveland Browns believe they’re in a re-tooling rather than a full-blown rebuild. Whatever it really is, here are their 5 biggest offseason needs in 2020
We were sold on an entire re-brand for the Cleveland Browns back in 2018. That was when general manager John Dorsey and head coach Hue Jackson were all-in on their “cleanse” in Berea. Of course, we all know that didn’t go as planned. Jackson was fired during the season and Dorsey is now gone as well following a disastrous 2019 campaign.
Dorsey’s downfall was hiring Freddie Kitchens, who lasted just one season before being fired. Now new head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry are in control as they look to turn the Browns into a winner. And with that thought process in mind, let’s look at their five biggest needs in the 2020 offseason.
5. Linebackers, assuming they lose their own
Joe Schobert is a free agent and there’s not much being said about the team’s interest in retaining him. He’s continually among the leaders in tackles for Cleveland and is a fan-favorite. The question comes down to his price tag, though.
Schobert is going to command a high-dollar deal, and the Browns might not feel right paying that. They also may not be willing to pay Christian Kirksey his salary of nearly $10 million either, especially considering he’s been unable to stay healthy in recent seasons.
Should either player be gone, the Browns will have to address the linebacker position. They do have some youth in Mack Wilson, who outperformed his draft status and can be a starter but they haven’t seen enough out of Sione Takitaki to know he can play significant snaps. That makes this a need, but it’s not their No. 1 priority.