The Browns seem to have it all. But do they have a top-level quarterback? Can the arrivals of Ken Dorsey and Jerry Jeudy help Deshaun Watson find — and sustain — confidence? It’s not as simple as saying that steady play from Watson and relatively good health across the roster will make this team a real AFC contender, but that’s a good place to start.
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So, welcome (or welcome back), Browns fans — and make sure your seat belt is secure. I’ll do my best to relay all the developments, insights and conversations from the locker room and facility, and I’ll try each week to take you places you can’t normally go. We don’t expect “normal” to suddenly become a part of the weekly lexicon, but we don’t really know what to expect.
It’s supposed to be fun along the way, and the Browns have certainly spent with the purpose of this being a season like no other. Where is it going? Who are the surprise players? Can this ride be longer than the others? Hop on — and stay on — with The Athletic as we find out.
When you want to go beyond the Browns, The Athletic will still have you covered. Get The Pulse delivered to your inbox for a quick, fun read on the biggest storylines in the NFL and all of sports. Check the app daily — available on iOS and Google — to get personalized news on the teams that matter the most to you. And go deep on the NFL with Scoop City as insider Dianna Russini and our NFL reporters bring you the inside information.
Week 1: vs. Cowboys, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox)
Here are a few stories to get you ready for the season:
Browns must-reads:
What I’m seeing: O-line shakeups and other observations
Will Jack Conklin be Cleveland’s starting LT until Jedrick Wills returns? And how will the running back room look until Nick Chubb is back?
Browns need the best version of Deshaun Watson if they want to reach their ceiling
Cleveland has amassed and retained enough talent to be considered potentially elite this season. But it all starts with its highly paid QB.
Myles Garrett expected to take torch from Aaron Donald as NFL’s top defender
“The combination of size, athleticism, willpower, all those things when you’re in Madden, and you’re creating a player, he’s got them all.”
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Browns keep 4 QBs on 53-man roster as cutdown day brings a few mild surprises
Probably most surprising was Cleveland keeping all four quarterbacks it’s had on the roster since March.
Browns’ Chubb to miss at least first 4 games
In 2023, Jerome Ford filled some of Chubb’s void in the Browns’ offense, totaling 813 yards on 204 carries as the fill-in starter.
Cleveland Browns Stadium guide
(Chris Unger, Ryan Kang, Kevin C. Cox, Perry Knotts / Getty Images)
NFL rankings and insights:
Week 1 Power Rankings
It’s time for a vibe check for every team heading into the season.
Quarterback Tiers 2024: Only 2 join Mahomes in Tier 1
Aaron Rodgers missed Tier 1 for the first time in the 11th annual survey of 50 NFL coaches and execs. His successor in Green Bay surged.
How NFL GMs, coaches really feel about the new kickoff rule
More returns? Fewer injuries? The NFL thinks so, but, even after seeing it in the preseason, some coaches and GMs aren’t sold yet.
NFL agents dish on best (and worst) franchise, Mahomes’ value and Dak’s next deal
In our sixth annual agent survey, reps offered thoughts on everything from QB contracts to top talent evaluators to ways to improve the NFL.
Intel on all 32 NFL teams, Russ skepticism, Davante Adams trade talk and more
Dozens of NFL executives and coaches weigh in with thoughts on how the 2024 season will unfold for each team.
Ten bold predictions: Packers win NFC North, but Caleb Williams for MVP?
Plus: Kyler Murray breaks out, the 49ers suffer a Super Bowl hangover and Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs make history (again).
Hope-O-Meter results: Ranking fans’ optimism for all 32 teams
Optimism in the NFL tends to be closely tied to a team’s starting quarterback. So which fan bases are most optimistic heading into 2024?
Win total projections | Week 1 schedule
(Photo of Deshaun Watson: Jeff Lange / USA Today)
Zac Jackson is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Cleveland Browns. He is also the host of the "A to Z" podcast alongside Andre Knott. Previously, Zac covered the Browns for Fox Sports Ohio and worked for Pro Football Talk. Follow Zac on Twitter @AkronJackson
