CLEVELAND, Ohio – Still hurting from a 45-14 loss to the Texans in the wild-card round, the Browns are looking for a new offensive coordinator to replace Alex Van Pelt and other new assistants.
Before the next few weeks are over, they will also hire a new running backs coach, a new tight ends coach, possibly a new defensive line coach and perhaps a new signal caller for Deshaun Watson if Kevin Stefanski is given the job new coordinator.
Once the new staff is in place, the Browns will focus on improving their talent in order to win the elusive Super Bowl trophy.
This is the first in a series of things the Browns should do this offseason:1. Acquire a good, experienced backup QB like Jacoby Brissett or Joe FlaccoThe Browns have learned the hard way this season that having an inexperienced backup quarterback is too risky when so much is on the line.
Now that Watson is returning from surgery to repair a fractured glenoid in his right shoulder, having a winning backup is even more important than last season.
The Browns will continue to develop 2023 fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson, but they should be able to continue winning if Watson gets injured again.
Thompson-Robinson (1-2) was a key contributor to the playoff run during a 13-10 win over the Steelers in Cleveland. The Browns’ other young backup, P.J. Walker, went 1-1 and also earned the 39-38 win over the Colts after replacing an injured Watson in the first quarter.
But the two backups combined threw just two touchdown passes and nine interceptions, resulting in a passer rating of 51.2 for Thompson-Robinson and 52.2 for Walker.
After Watson missed the season with a shoulder injury, the Browns were fortunate to find a former Super Bowl MVP in Flacco, a 16th-year pro, who was waiting for the phone to ring at home in New Jersey.
Flacco was eager to get back in the game, stay in top shape and have fresh legs when he came out.
It was the perfect storm for him as he entered the game 4-1, throwing for 300 yards in four regular season games, a club record, and helping the Browns secure their third playoff berth since 1999.
This made up for the Browns’ failure at the position, as so many other teams did in 2023.Unfortunately for Flacco, he faltered like everyone else in the Wild Card game, throwing two pick-sixes in the third quarter as he forced the issue and tried to close the gap to 24-14.
It opened a 38-14 Texans lead from which the Browns were unable to recover.But Flacco, who turned 39 on Tuesday, saved the Browns’ season and they would be willing to bring him back as a backup for Watson if he doesn’t find an opportunity to start elsewhere.
Likewise, Flacco made it clear that he likes this place and that he would be open to a return.
He loves everything about the Browns and their fans and has been overwhelmed by how the community has embraced him.
Of course, his No. 1 choice would be to start doing it or have the opportunity to do it, and that doesn’t happen here.
But someone else might have seen something in Flacco that they didn’t see during the first 10 weeks of the season, when he was overlooked.
