Since the dawn of the NFL, fans and pundits have had opinions on how to improve their favorite teams.
“Monday Morning Quarterbacks” held court at water coolers and pubs to share their critiques with a small crowd.
But in the age of social media, millions of armchair GMs and head coaches compare ideas 24/7.
#Browns GM Andrew Berry on whether he believes Baker Mayfield is franchise's QB of future: You need to take big-picture approach, it's body of work, we've seen Baker play good football here and we're excited about moving forward and the opportunity ahead of us the next five weeks
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) December 1, 2021
And when a team falls short of expectations like the Cleveland Browns, those ideas multiply rapidly.
Who hasn’t heard the “obvious” quick fixes involving Chubb and Hunt playing together or sitting a wounded QB?
We all know Joe Woods should blitz more and the Browns need to trade/draft/sign every star available.
But Andrew Berry and his team are already at work making plans even their legion of fans haven’t considered.
Stefanski said playing Hunt and Chubb together was among one of the many things team discussed last week.#Browns
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) December 6, 2021
Big decisions loom regarding Baker Mayfield, Denzel Ward, and over 20 pending free agents.
And each announcement will prompt more social media GMs to weigh in.
Here are 2 surprise moves the Browns could make in the offseason.
1. Jarvis Landry Extended Through 2024
There is no way Cleveland will pay Jarvis Landry $16.5 million in 2022 for the level of production he gives.
Especially when they can create $15 million of much-needed salary cap space by trading or releasing him.
But odds are, nobody else will pay Landry that much, either.
And if Landry is going to take a big pay cut to play, why not stay with the Browns?
JARVIS LANDRY OUT OF THE WILDCAT 🔥pic.twitter.com/e3CR7NjZ9z
— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) November 21, 2021
Andrew Berry knows what Landry can do, and he did it to the tune of a 72% catch rate in 2020.
Landry is a generally reliable, sure-handed receiver and an important locker room leader of a young receiving unit.
Keeping him around plays a role in removing any residual OBJ tension among his teammates.
#Browns OC Alex Van Pelt, on WR Jarvis Landry, who is caught in the middle of the OBJ/Baker drama: "I'd definitely take him in my foxhole all day long. … He's a pro. He's going to turn it on when the lights come one. He's going to make plays. He has to." pic.twitter.com/HoZmhU8w1M
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 4, 2021
After all, if Landry can get past that and recommit to Cleveland, why wouldn’t everybody else?
By offering Landry a decent signing bonus and incentives, Berry can wipe out most of his cap hit.
And such a veteran commitment helps to re-establish the Browns’ as a preferred free-agent destination.
That adds up to a serious run at a quality outside receiver like free agents Chris Godwin, Michael Gallup, or DJ Chark.
2. Blake Hance, Center
Andrew Berry appears to have a set budget for his starting offensive line, somewhere around $50 million.
He manipulated Wyatt Teller‘s contract to defer a big salary cap hit until 2023 when JC Tretter’s contract expires.
But that plan only works if the team doesn’t need to re-sign JC Tretter and/or Jack Conklin after 2022.
And he has to be getting a little nervous about Nick Harris‘ status as Tretter’s heir apparent.
Blake Hance is averaging a PFF grade of 70 over his 3 starts for the #Browns pretty damn solid for your 4th OT. Didn’t get “killed”
— Jeff-LJ-Lloyd (@Jeff_LJ_Lloyd) October 22, 2021
Berry has over $30 million tied up in his guards, and another $6 million charged to Jedrick Wills in 2023.
And phantom years included in Conklin’s contract will cost Cleveland another $6 million in 2023 or 2024.
Berry’s college scouts are undoubtedly searching for the Browns’ next right tackle and center.
Blake Hance with a terrific block on at that TE Njoku screen. Between that and checking Von Miller, he’s delivering so far for the #Browns tonight
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) October 22, 2021
But Blake Hance, a career guard, made himself an above-average level tackle on the fly.
And that makes him smart and agile enough to be a center, and line up between Cleveland’s stalwart guards.
Hance is an exclusive-rights free agent who can solve a potential budget dilemma with his versatility.
Um, Blake Hance is an above average tackle? Have you watched a Brown’s game the past month or so? After a handful of solid games, Hance’s quality of play started to slide. And he continues to get worse and worse. Maybe he can move inside to and become and effective center. Who knows? But with the offensive system the Browns run, having a quality center with a specific skill set is imperative.
If the Browns truly believe the offensive line is the engine that powers their entire offense (and it absolutely is), they should seriously consider drafting Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum in the 1st round of the 2022 draft. Where they are likely to be picking (in the mid/high teens) there’s decent shot he’ll still be on the board. Despite being viewed as a top 7 or 8 player in this draft, center is not a position of premium value…. meaning he’s likely to fall. But even if the Browns have to use that 4th round pick acquired from Detroit in 2021 to move up a few spots to get Linderbaum, they should go ahead and do it. PFF states he’s the best center prospect they’ve ever evaluated, and he is his playing style + skill set fit the Brown’s zone-based blocking scheme perfectly.
The Browns should absolutely resign Clowney, so an even bigger need @ edge rusher does not open up. If they follow through on doing so, then wideout and defensive tackle are the only “big” needs on this team. Both of which can be addressed in free agency and in the 2nd round of the ’22 draft. After a disappointing season, the Browns must make sure they do not lay another egg next season. With a young, talented defense on the verge of dominance (barring injuries), the best way to do so would be shoring up the protection around Mayfield + making sure the running game remains among the league’s best (if not improve even). Assuring Jack Conklin is back healthy by the start of next season and the drafting of Tyler Linderbaum would achieve just that.
If you saw how many times I went back and forth between “average” and “above average” on Hance… The eye test had him at average, but PFF convinced me to out in above. He is an interior guy, and I suspect he’ll be around for a while behind Bitonio and Teller.
But yes- I would love to see Linderbaum with the Browns! He has the highest collegiate center scores in PFF history and he solves the financial dilemma on the line for years. I am wary of the Giants taking him with one of their 2 picks ahead of the Browns, but if he is there… absolutely. (Thanks for the comment!)