Doomed to Repeat? Browns ‘Treacherous’ Division Paints Rough Outlook for 2025

Teams go from worst to first in their division nearly every season in the modern NFL with free agency significantly shaking up rosters on an annual basis.

Well, even after a busy offseason for Cleveland, one writer still thinks the Browns have the worst chance of going from worst to first in their division entering the 2025 NFL season.

Browns Rank Dead Last in Worst to First Rankings from USA Today

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today dropped a ‘worst to first’ article on Monday, which placed the Cleveland Browns in eighth amongst eight teams when ranking teams with the best odds to finish quickly turn it around in 2025.

Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote, “The shortage of talent behind center might make this one of the shakiest quarterback competitions of the last quarter-century. Even if the ask of the passing game is minimized, how reasonable is it to count on the ground game to rediscover its previous form given how unstable the front has been amid injuries and the loss of offensive line coach Bill Callahan? Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah already being ruled out for the season as he continues to recover from a neck injury seems like a bad harbinger for a roster that still is short on talent. And the AFC North landscape is nothing short of treacherous.”

The quarterback situation entering the 2025 season certainly sticks out like a sore thumb in a division that features a pair of former league MVPs in Lamar Jackson and Aaron Rodgers paired with an MVP caliber signal caller in Joe Burrow in comparison to what the Browns expect to have at quarterback this year.

Deshaun Watson has been underwhelming during his entire tenure in Cleveland.  Joe Flacco is in the twilight of his pro career. Kenny Pickett is a former first round pick who has failed to live up to expectations. And the organization has a pair of rookie quarterbacks in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel trying to convince this Browns organization they could be a long-term solution at quarterback entering their rookie years.

The uncertainty under center likely led to this organization being open to trading out of the No. 2 overall spot in the 2025 NFL Draft to acquire more future draft capital to properly address the position in years to come.

Middlehurst-Schwartz added, “With general manager Andrew Berry passing up the chance to take Travis Hunter in order to add another first-rounder for 2026, it feels as though the franchise is admitting its focus has advanced beyond this season. Cleveland has the longest active drought for a divisional crown – dating back to their 1989 capture of the AFC Central – and looks as far off as ever from ending it.”

Could the Browns Shock Everyone and Win the AFC North in 2025?

Middlehurst-Schwartz wasn’t all doom and gloom in his article. In fact, he did touch on why there should be some room for optimism this season.

Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote, “Things can’t be as bad as last year … right? However uninspiring the teams’ quarterback choices are, Deshaun Watson’s ineffectiveness and Jameis Winston’s interception-happy play proved to be an anchor on the entire operation, leaving the once-dominant defense repeatedly saddled with unfavorable situations. With mainstay left guard Joel Bitonio indicating earlier in June that the Kevin Stefanski-helmed attack looks due to get back to its run-centric roots, even small strides in efficiency for a group that tied for the NFL lead with 34 giveaways could have a significant ripple effect. Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward remain elite presences capable of pacing the defense, and first-round defensive tackle Mason Graham and second-round linebacker Carson Schwesinger help provide the youthful backing that went missing in recent years with the team’s draft capital sapped by the Watson trade.”

Ultimately, the Browns have more questions than answers at various positions across the roster. Yet, everyone starts 0-0 entering the upcoming season.

If Kevin Stefanski can push for a AFC North title in 2025, then this could be his coaching masterpiece in the NFL.