4 questions about the Burning Browns, including how they will react to Jack Conklin’s return
With the NFL Tournament just a week away, the Browns have a number of important decisions to make regarding their roster as they prepare for 2024. This week’s hot questions are:
The Super Bowl is over and the NFL is just a week away. As the Browns begin preparing for 2024, we’ll answer the burning questions facing the team each week. So let’s try four of them!
Patrick Mahomes is difficult because you can’t imitate him, but I don’t want any team to think it’s easy to imitate what the Chiefs do. I think there are more similarities between the Browns and 49ers, even if they didn’t have an NFL three-peat or better defense like the Browns and Chiefs.
I mean, Kevin Stefanski and Kyle Shanahan use very similar systems to begin with. But there’s one thing I’m leaning towards Kansas City and that’s the QB situation. Deshaun Watson isn’t Mahomes, but they both make salaries similar to the best QBs in the sport.
Meanwhile, the 49ers and quarterback Brock Purdy have reached a rookie deal that provides flexibility that the Browns don’t currently have. For this reason, I’ll say chef. The Conklin contract is an albatross. Even if they trade him before June 1, the Browns will still have a total cap hit of $21 million this season.
Doing so after June 1st would allow the amount to be split into $7 million and $14 million over the next two years. At the end of the day, I think the dead money makes Conklin a potential trade candidate at this point, so he’s probably here to stay.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, considering Jones’ rise last season. First, Cleveland will be plagued by injuries in 2023, especially on the offensive line. It doesn’t matter if there is some depth in any of these spots. Conklin and Wills will likely be the starters at the tackle spot in Week 1, with Jones likely to be the primary backup. The Browns could try to test Jones as a defensive back who can play on both sides of the O, but if he does a good job, he could potentially replace Wills at left tackle.
Spend a season with a franchise. This comes after Jordan Schultz reported that the Buccaneers set a deadline for last weekend to reach a long-term contract, and that the two sides are far apart. Evans appears set to become a free agent, but with the franchise window opening today, there’s still a chance Tampa Bay could team up with him. It will be exciting to see how this plays out, but if Evans hits the open market, he would be one of the most coveted receivers in free agency this offseason. In his 10 years in the NFL, Evans has never reached his 1,000-yard mark.
I expect the Browns to consider several options to upgrade the WR position this offseason, so I think they would be interested if Evans is available. Closing the deal is another matter entirely. There’s a good chance the team appreciates DTR’s potential and brings him in next season as Deshaun Watson’s primary backup.
However, it is essential to understand Andrew Berry and the front office’s thinking regarding this position. As Berry stated in his postseason press release, this administration has always valued the backup QB position, enough to spend $2 million to $6 million a year on the job since coming to Cleveland.
Ta. Given how things went last season and Watson recovering from a season-ending injury, I think the Browns will look to add a veteran to the roster this offseason. This is not to disrespect Thompson-Robinson. He is still in the learning and growing phase.
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