The one positive so far of the Deshaun Watson contract is that it empowered division rival QBs Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow to demand the same from their teams. (USA Today)
An early look – but not a final one -- at Browns 2023 opponents
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
The Browns’ 2023 schedule will take on different perspectives as the transaction season proceeds.
The home and away opponents were known upon the completion of the 2022 regular season. There have been coaching changes, and free agent signings and draft picks are yet to come. Teams will evolve over the next three months.
Only when the dates and times and order of opponents are announced in May can the schedule be fully analyzed.
Until then, we look at what lies ahead for the Browns’ 2023 opponents.
AFC North rivals, home and road
Cincinnati Bengals
They avoided losing defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo to the head coaching ranks. They won’t be as lucky keeping 16 potential free agents. Those include six key players – safeties Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell, cornerback Eli Apple, linebacker Germaine Pratt, tight end Hayden Hurst, and backup running back Samaje Perine. The most important move the Bengals will make, however, will be signing quarterback Joe Burrow to his second contract. Look for a $50 million+ average. The question is whether Burrow will insist on the Deshaun Watson fully guaranteed deal. I say he won’t.
Baltimore Ravens
They replaced departed offensive coordinator Greg Roman with Todd Monken, who was Freddie Kitchens’ offensive coordinator with the Browns in 2019. Monken revived his NFL career with a three-year stint at Georgia, which claimed back-to-back national college championships, averaging 40.7 points and 501 yards per game over two seasons. Quarterback Lamar Jackson’s future is the paramount concern, of course. Jackson has insisted on the Watson full guarantee, which the Ravens won’t give him. They have to decide whether to non-exclusive franchise tag Jackson for $32.4 million or exclusive franchise tag him at $45 million+. Either designation may set off some kind of Jackson protest, which could result in a trade.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Coach Mike Tomlin disappointed some by not replacing offensive coordinator Matt Canada, whose offense didn’t score more than 30 points in any game in 2022. Kenny Pickett wasn’t disappointed, however, and there’s something to be said about not forcing a young quarterback to learn a new offense in his second year. Still, this is a team that can’t rely on 16-13 games forever.
Home games
Jacksonville Jaguars
Five straight wins at the end earned them a 9-8 record and unlikely division title in Doug Pederson’s first season as coach. They staged an incredible comeback to win their wild-card game and then bowed out gracefully in a competitive loss to the Chiefs. If Pederson can get quarterback Trevor Lawrence to improve another notch, they could be formidable.
Tennessee Titans
They are at a crossroads. At more than $23 million over the salary cap, the Titans may part ways with quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Plus, they have 25 players set to become free agents. Not an enviable position for new GM Ran Carthon.
Arizona Cardinals
New coach Jonathan Gannon brings much-needed energy to a franchise wilting in the desert. Gannon made Browns QB coach Drew Petzing his offensive coordinator. They have to figure out if rehabbing QB Kyler Murray is the problem or the solution. Tough times ahead.
San Francisco 49ers
Goodbye Jimmy Garoppolo. Hello … Trey Lance? Or Brock Purdy? Who knows which quarterback Kyle Shanahan will be employing in 2023. Shanahan replaced departing defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans with Steve Wilks. Odds are the 49ers’ defense won’t miss a beat.
New York Jets
Joe Flacco presided over the 13-point comeback in 1 ½ minutes that sent the Browns’ season into utter disarray. Now they are targeting Aaron Rodgers or Derek Carr to take over the offense. They are no longer pushovers.
Road games
Houston Texans
Ryans was a popular choice as their fourth coach in four years. They may add to a much-needed buzz by drafting Bryce Young as their next quarterback hopeful. They own the Browns’ first- and third-round draft picks as the second installment of the Watson trade. You have to feel the worst is behind them, but the lithe Young is no certainty.
Indianapolis Colts
Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen takes over as head coach. The big question is whether owner Jim Irsay insists on another veteran QB or they finally draft a quarterback to build around. Either way, they may challenge the Titans for last place.
Los Angeles Rams
No franchise flaunts its ungodly wealth like the Rams. They’re hard to root for. Sean McVay decided to come back as coach because there’s no front-line slot for him on network TV. They’re $15 million over the salary cap and they don’t have a No. 1 pick once again. They have three great players in Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey and Cooper Kupp. Good luck.
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback Geno Smith earned the comeback player-of-the-year award with a fantastic season. Now the Seahawks have to pay him. The Seahawks have $31 million in cap room and five draft picks in the top 100. GM John Schneider has the opportunity to push the Seahawks into NFC relevancy in the post-Russell Wilson era.
Chicago Bears
There’s speculation of them trading quarterback Justin Fields and parlaying the No. 1 overall pick into a bevy of extra picks and a new rookie quarterback. I have no idea what they’re doing. I’m afraid for Fields they don’t know either.
Denver Broncos
The price they paid for new coach Sean Payton – the 30th overall pick in 2023 and a second-round pick in 2024 – could be a bargain. Payton should be able to stem the painful decline of quarterback Russell Wilson and make an immediate impact on a franchise now flush with the cash of the Wal-Mart ownership empire. Payton reportedly is considering Rex Ryan as defensive coordinator.
