Cleveland Browns season primer

Nicholas Kamlet, Staff Reporter

Perhaps failure can lead to success. For the Cleveland Browns, success is finally on the horizon. Since 1999, the Browns have only had two winning seasons and have started 28 different quarterbacks. The team hit rock bottom after a 2017-18 season where they lost every game, going 0-16. Then, the tides turned when they drafted quarterback Baker Mayfield, an outspoken, but college-proven player.

Due to the addition of Mayfield and some other changes, the 2019-2020 NFL season represents one of the more optimistic seasons in recent memory for the Browns. They have a new coach, Freddie Kitchens, Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and of course Baker Mayfield who has another year of experience under his belt. Sure, there has been concern about how the big personalities of the Browns will mesh together, but a quick insight into training camp shows that the team is having a great time. Mayfield is throwing dimes and going on excursions to Indians games, Beckham Jr. is excited to be teammates with childhood friend Jarvis Landry and there is an overall shift of mood from previous seasons.

Notoriously, the American Football Conference – Northern is a division dominated by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. Yes, both those teams figure to compete and be successful this year, but the Browns can challenge. The Steelers lost key pieces in Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, while the Ravens simply do not have the star power that the Browns boast.

There is reason for optimism this year about a Browns team that has historically been disappointing. Time to look forward to good moments ahead.