2025 Cleveland Browns Season Preview
- Mark Balog
- Aug 16
- 4 min read
*Audio Episode on Spotify here*: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4XRqVIpV6MpU3aP9LveGZR?si=5ef61837c113449e
I wanted to share some final thoughts on the upcoming Cleveland Browns season since releasing the audio podcast on July 28th, 2025. Including my favorite bets for the team this season. Starting with the Quarterback room, it appears all signs point to Joe Flacco and not Kenny Pickett will be the starter to start the 2025 season. This is a situation that played itself out due to Pickett being injured most of NFL Training Camp and Preseason. Although Pickett was traded for a 5th round pick from Philadelphia, it's no secret the Browns may try to move Pickett before the season starts. Had Pickett not been injured, I still hold firm Pickett would have been given a real shot at starting the season as starting Quarterback and Flacco become the odd man out. I believe Flacco can win games for the team in Stefanski's offense, as long as he does not turn the ball over and the Browns don't finish 7th again in penalties. The Browns will not keep all 4 (current active Quarterbacks) on this roster, which would have forced one of the rookies to the practice squad with the potential of being signed to another team. Despite potentially having 2 Rookie Quarterbacks on the roster behind Flacco, the team seems to believe in Dillon Gabriel more the Shedeur Sanders simply, because he was drafted ahead of Sanders where Browns GM Andrew Berry has publicly evidenced that he values where a player was drafted. The next move would be to try and move Pickett, but I do not see a situation where the Browns get the same value they did when trading for him. There also has not been a high demand for Quarterbacks at this point in Preseason, but expect a move to happen shortly before the regular season starts when teams have to make cuts down to 53-man roster. I'm also very curious to see Gabriel get some playing time as he battles his own injuries, but is expected to start the Browns second Preseason game vs Philadelphia as both teams held joint practice all week. I feel this is a big opportunity for Gabriel to prove he is the backup after Sanders performance vs Carolina. One game is definitely not enough to convince the front office that Sanders is ready to be the backup, or even starting, but it certainly caught the attention of the national where it may add additional pressure on Gabriel to perform well. If Gabriel plays well, I think it's a win for the Browns moving forward into the season comfortably with both rookies on the roster and potentially changing thoughts on the plans for the 2026 NFL Draft where Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam has publicly stated he will remain patient with the front office and coaching staff and that the Browns future Quarterback could be in the next draft barring Gabriel/Sanders do not perform. We all know the fate of Flacco/Pickett beyond 2025 is that neither will be on the team, as Flacco will not play for much longer and the Browns would not be able to afford a contract extension for Pickett. All we know is the Browns had to keep one of the 2 "Veteran" Quarterbacks, as they were never going to start either Rookie Quarterback against the first 6 teams they have to play to start the season. (At home vs divisional rival, on the road vs divisional rival, on the road vs one of the best defenses in the NFL, in London, or in Pittsburgh.) I will leave the Browns Offense discussion, with expecting Browns Rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr to play a big role in the offense as discussed on the audio podcast. Fannin was reportedly used in the backfield, in the slot, and at WR during team practices and I have no concerns how Stefanski will fit him into this offense opposite side of David Njoku, and for the future beyond 2025.
A few additional notes about the Browns offense since the podcast recording: Browns Rookie Quinshon Judkins had his charges dropped, but the Browns don't seem to be in a hurry to sign the rookie Running Back and have him on the field to prepare for the 2025 NFL Season. The league may still hand out their own punishment to Judkins before the season starts, but I expect to see Judkins play at some point this season. As far as rookie Running Back Dylan Sampson goes, he looks the part after some playing time in the Browns Preseason opener vs Carolina, so I will not worry about the Browns Running Back room at this time. We also can't forget Browns Running Back Jerome Ford is still on the roster, and played well in Chubbs injury absence under Stefanski's offense in 2023, and I expect that out of Ford in 2025 and forgetting the atrocious offense in 2024. Ford still showed he can play the part at times in 2024, but I expect a Running Back by Committee approach, because Ford cannot play every snap and with the talent potential behind him in Sampson and Judkins. The Browns have also added UDFA WR Isaiah Bond (Texas/Alabama) further proving the Browns do not care about their PR, as Bond, who was projected to go in rounds 1-2, had his own off the field issues and had his charges dropped. Bond could thrive in Stefanski's offense as a slot or 2nd Wide Receiver behind Jerry Jeudy. I absolutely love the signing of the player, but no doubt the Browns organization will have to answer (or deflect) some tough legal questions about yet another Browns player instead of football questions. On the Defense side of the ball, the team looks back to it's 2023 form, and I expect the Browns Defense to play well throughout the season. But, will have to do so without Browns Cornerback Martin Emerson, who tore his Achilles late in Training Camp. Browns first pick Mason Graham looks the part, and Rookie LB Carson Schwesinger looked fantastic in the Browns Preseason opener vs Carolina.
My Favorite Browns bets for the 2025 NFL Season (courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Win Totals - Over 4.5 Wins (-140)
The Ringer Special - Dolphins, Browns, Saints and Titans "To each miss the Playoffs (-105)
Jerry Jeudy - Over 900.5 Receiving Yards (-114)
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