SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) runs with the football after scoring a touchdown during the NFL game between the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers on November 12, 2018 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Odell Beckham has a lot of confidence in his new teammates, but he understands the Browns have a long way to go before they can become the Patriots.
Expectations are sky-high for the Cleveland Browns next season, but no one realistically thinks they’re going to turn into the New England Patriots in one offseason. Not even star wide receiver Odell Beckham has that much confidence in his new team.
The controversial wide receiver started a social media firestorm of sorts earlier this week when he expressed his desire to turn the Browns into the next version of the Patriots. Beckham took to his own Instagram to clarify his remarks on Thursday evening. He informed fans that he doesn’t necessarily expect the Browns to evolve into a Patriots-like dynasty, but he always intends to “aspire to be great.”
In fairness to Beckham, it makes sense that he’d want his new team to emulate what’s occurred in New England. Bill Belichick has built a legitimate dynasty with the Patriots. There isn’t a team in the NFL who shouldn’t be trying to duplicate that level of success.
Of course, the Browns need to learn to walk before they can take off on that sort of dynastic sprint. A more reasonable short-term goal for Beckham and his teammates would be to break Cleveland’s post season drought in 2019. Breaking into the playoffs for the first time since 2002 would qualify as a massive success for first-year head coach Freddie Kitchens no matter how much talent the team has acquired this offseason.
If that’s going to happen, Beckham will need to emerge as Baker Mayfield’s No. 1 target. Expect the two players to spend a lot of time working with one another this preseason to establish a solid chemistry in the passing game. Beckham can be a selfish receiver, but there’s no denying his talent level. He’s got the ability to make Mayfield look very good on Sundays.
Browns fans expecting to contend for multiple Super Bowl titles over the next few seasons might want to tap the brakes. Even Beckham understands this team is still a work in progress.