The Cleveland Browns start training camp for the 2023 Football season on July 22 at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs West Virginia. Coming off of a very disappointing 7-10 season in 2022, the Browns made some changes within the coaching staff. Gone is former defensive coordinator Joe Woods, along with former special teams coach Mike Priefer, in is new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, and new special teams coach, Raymond Ventrone.

The Browns also made some key player acquisitions through free agency, signing much needed defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, and safety Juan Thornhill. That wasn’t all the Browns did in the off-season, Cleveland also acquired defensive end Za’Darius Smith, in a trade with Minnesota, now giving All Pro defensive end Myles Garrett much needed help on the defensive line.

Through the draft the Browns selected wide receiver Cedric Tillman, defensive tackle Siaki Ika ,along with offensive tackle, Dawand Jones. So with all the changes in the coaching staff, and personnel, it’s up to fourth year head coach Kevin Stefanski, to make it work especially with a now full year with QB Deshaun Watson minus the distractions.

Questions remain with the linebackers since the starters at that position last year were all injured. Can running back Jerome Ford be a viable backup to All Pro Nick Chubb? Because in the AFC it definitely won’t be easy especially in the AFC North. The Browns need to build much needed team chemistry in West Virginia, and hit the ground running. With three of the first four games of the season against their rivals in the AFC North we will find out quickly if the Browns have what it takes to make the playoffs this year, and possibly make a deep playoff run in the very competitive AFC.

What remains to be seen with coach Kevin Stefanski is can he coach this team up to get a win, or two that they’re not supposed to get? Can he be a leader of men to get this team in playoff contention? All which remains to be seen in the near future.

If all goes bad this season expect a major rebuild full of changes in 2024.

-Keith Allen

*Photo Courtesy of NFL.com*