The Cleveland Browns recently concluded one of their most successful seasons, finishing with the third-highest win total in team history and securing a playoff spot for the second time in four years with an impressive 11-6 record. Despite suffering a crushing defeat to the Houston Texans in the wild card round of the 2024 playoffs, the Browns have redefined their legacy by turning winning into a new standard.
This year’s success was further highlighted by the selection of seven Browns players for the Pro Bowl, the second-highest by any AFC team this season and the most for the Browns since 1988. This year’s selections include wide receiver Amari Cooper, tight end David Njoku, left guard Joel Bitonio, right guard Wyatt Teller, defensive end Myles Garrett, cornerback Denzel Ward and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
Cooper’s ascension as a starter in this year’s Pro Bowl marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career. This is his fifth Pro Bowl appearance and his first with Cleveland. Cooper set a personal best this season, amassing an impressive career-high 1,250 receiving yards. He etched his name in Browns history as the first receiver to record back-to-back seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. His remarkable performance peaked in Week 16 against the Texans when he set the Browns’ single-game receiving record with a staggering 265 yards. Remarkably, Cooper achieved this feat amidst the challenge of adapting to five different starting quarterbacks throughout the season.
Njoku, Cooper’s fellow pass-catcher, earned his first-ever Pro Bowl nod, cementing his status as a Pro Bowl-caliber talent since being drafted in the first round by the Browns in 2017. Despite previous setbacks due to inconsistent quarterback play and a preference for run-heavy offenses, Njoku broke through this season with 882 receiving yards, ranking second on the Browns and sixth among tight ends. Njoku also led the team in receptions (81) and receiving touchdowns (6). His six receiving touchdowns mark the best of his career.
The outstanding seasons of these two receivers wouldn’t have been possible without the exceptional play of Bitonio and Teller. Despite the Browns grappling with season-ending injuries to right tackle Jack Conklin and left tackle Jed Wills, Bitonio and Teller’s Pro Bowl-caliber performance kept the offensive line formidable, contributing significantly to the team’s playoff berth. Bitonio, with six Pro Bowl selections, ties for fourth-most in team history and was also voted a starter in this year’s Pro Bowl. Teller, on his part, has earned Pro Bowl honors for three consecutive seasons.
On the defensive side, Garrett stands out as a likely NFL Defensive Player of the Year and All-Pro. Garrett was a force to be reckoned with, finishing the season with 14 sacks, the seventh-highest in the league. Garrett also finished the season fifth in forced fumbles with 4. His five Pro Bowl selections since being drafted first overall by the Browns in 2017 are tied for the most in franchise history for a defensive player.
Joining Garrett in the Pro Bowl is three-time selectee Ward, the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Ohio State product justified his high draft selection with a stellar season as a cornerstone in one of the NFL’s elite defensive back groups. Ward was among the best in the NFL in man coverage.
Owusu-Koramoah (JOK), another Browns Pro Bowl selection, has been a revelation since his second-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. JOK captivated fans with his ferocious tackling and exceptional speed, fully realizing his potential under the guidance of new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. This ultimately led to JOK being fourth in the NFL for tackles for loss with 20. This year is JOK’s first Pro Bowl selection.
Cooper and Bitonio were not able to participate in the Pro Bowl due to injuries, but these other standout athletes proudly represented the Browns and the AFC in the Pro Bowl Games, a thrilling showcase of skill and sportsmanship. The Pro Bowl Games, a dynamic mix of traditional and innovative challenges, featured exciting events such as dodgeball, kick-tac-toe, tug of war and flag football. The Pro Bowl was a four-day spectacle, broadcasted from Thursday, Feb. 1 to Sunday, Feb. 4, where the NFL’s finest talents displayed their versatility and competitive spirit in a unique and entertaining format.