The Cleveland Browns are already in the midst of a significant roster transition, which could amplify if they can’t figure out a way to best the Green Bay Packers.
Cleveland is starting rookies all over the field on both sides of the football, with several others waiting in the wings for their chances as age and injury have come for the roster in unforgiving fashion.
Sunday’s game against Green Bay is a critical moment in the season, as the Browns have begun the campaign 0-2 after blowing what probably should have been a victory against the Cincinnati Bengals at home in Week 1. Teams that begin an NFL campaign 0-3 historically have almost no chance at making the playoffs, and Cleveland’s situation would be even more difficult given the schedule over the next three weeks beyond the matchup against the Packers, with games against the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Thus, if the Browns can’t find a way to beat the undefeated Packers, who come to Cleveland confident and on 10 days rest after resounding wins over the Lions and Washington Commanders, there is a good chance that more change will come to the Browns‘ roster sooner than later.
Browns Could Move Multiple Starters Ahead of Trade Deadline if They Don’t Start Winning Games Soon
GettyCornerback Greg Newsome II of the Cleveland Browns.
Dan Graziano of ESPN predicted that Cleveland will be strong sellers ahead of the league’s November 4 trade deadline if the team can’t quickly reverse its fortunes.
That could mean dealing multiple starters who have become household names over the last several years. It could also mean potentially moving on from one of the team’s two rookie quarterbacks in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
Starting the season 0-2 and seemingly already positioning themselves to be a big factor in next year’s draft (two first-round picks), the Browns could very easily be dealing away players by early November,” Graziano wrote. “Cornerback Greg Newsome II and tight end David Njoku are among the veterans in the final years of their contracts who could be of interest to teams looking for help at the deadline. And a quarterbacks room that has 40-year-old veteran Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders is going to keep being talked about in these types of discussions.
Packers Pose Serious Problems for Browns on Both Sides of the Football
GettyEdge rusher Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers.
The best way for the Browns to avoid those discussions is to figure out a way to beat Green Bay, despite coming into the game as 7.5-point home underdogs, per ESPN BET.
While it will be an uphill battle for Cleveland, there is a pathway to conquering the Packers Sunday. The Browns have displayed a quality defense through two weeks, particularly against the run. If Cleveland can force Green Bay’s offense to play one-dimensionally, and the edge rush led by superstar Myles Garrett can make Jordan Love uncomfortable and help the secondary by getting pressure regularly, there is a blueprint for slowing down the Packers‘ attack.
But the greater challenge will actually come on the other side of the football, as Green Bay’s defense is ferocious, full of speed and more capable than just about any team in the league of getting home with its pass rush.
Flacco has thrown the football 45 times in each of Cleveland’s first two contests this season. That formula probably won’t work against the Packers, which means the two-headed rookie rushing attack of Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson will need to excel Sunday for the Browns to hang in with Green Bay.
If the Browns can control the football and the clock by running the ball effectively, which should keep the Packers defense somewhat on its heels and open up some plays in the pass game, then Cleveland should have a chance to compete. That offensive formula, plus a calculated and quality showing from the defense, could save the Browns from a dreaded 0-3 start that might see the team begin to sell off some of its top players in the coming weeks.
Browns Face Major Changes if Team Can’t Capture Win vs. Packers