CLEVELAND, Ohio —In this edition of Hey, Mary Kay! I answer questions about expectations for 2025, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and more.
**Hey, Mary Kay:**
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What is a realistic expectation for Browns fans going into the ’25 season, given the apparent difficult schedule and uncertainty at QB? Is it a realistic possibility that if the Browns start poorly, they might find themselves tanking the season for the 2026 No. 1 overall pick before we reach Halloween? _— Christian in Hudson, Ohio_
**Hey, Christian:** It is a difficult schedule, especially considering the 5-of-6 on the road beginning in Week 4. That’s an enormous challenge in terms of trying to stay in the hunt in the second half of the season. The uncertainty at quarterback is also a huge X factor in all of this. I’ve been saying I think they need to start a veteran from the jump, especially given the two AFC North games and all the early road games, including the London game against the Vikings.
If the Browns start poorly and it’s evident they’re not postseason-bound, I could see them turning it over to a rookie QB to get him some experience and see what they have. But I don’t see them tanking down the stretch, because they have too many quality veterans to do anything other than try to win every game. If they can finish middle-of-the-pack in turnover differential, they’ll already double their win total from last season. Good, clean QB play can get them to at least around .500 this year, and maybe more.
LB Carson Schwesinger speaks to members of the media before the start Browns rookie minicamp at the Berea practice facility on Friday, May 9, 2025.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
**Hey, MKC:**
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It’s clear that the linebacker Carson Schwesinger is the second coming of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah given his draft position in the high 2nd round, his skill set, and his instincts. As much as I love Myles Garrett, I’ve always felt JOK was even MORE impactful to our defense on a play-to-play basis because offenses could scheme to mitigate Garrett’s impact. My question is whether there is a percentage that can be placed on whether JOK ever plays again that doctors have shared, because I haven’t heard whether his chances are good or otherwise? _— Johnny Williams, Warrensville Heights, Ohio_
**Hey, Johnny:** Here’s hoping that JOK can make a triumphant return to the field next season after spending this year rehabbing and strengthening his neck. But the truth is, we just don’t know the prognosis right now, and he might not either. When dealing with a neck injury of this magnitude, so much must be considered, including the risk of re-injury and long-term ramifications. Even if JOK gets the green light from the doctors, he’ll have to think long and hard about whether or not he wants to play again. The good news is that he has full use of all of his extremities after such a scary injury. And the Browns were able to find an exciting prospect in Schwesinger to ease the loss of JOK, at least for this season.
**Hey, Mary Kay:**
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Why would the Browns add all those quarterbacks and running backs? Now we have an extra veteran quarterback and running back and cannot keep Nick Chubb? Shouldn’t we have added to the offensive and defensive lines or wide receiver? _— Joe Gatto, North Royalton, Ohio_
**Hey, Joe:** The Browns were always going to draft a rookie quarterback, and adding Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round came only at the expense of a special teams player or rotational prospect. Besides, quarterbacks can be used as currency if they develop well enough. I strongly advocated pre-draft that the Browns take two running backs and two quarterbacks in this class, although that was when they had 10 picks. As for the running backs, the Browns completely transformed their sluggish running game, and have a tandem in Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson that Browns fans will love. Nick Chubb deserves a chance to be a workhorse back for someone, and that wasn’t going to happen here. I hope he gets a great opportunity, even if he has to wait a week or two into the season. Maybe he’ll even land with a contender.
**Hey, Mary Kay:**
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Many pundits rank the Browns dead last in their power rankings. Last year’s atrocious offense had collateral impact on the defense. With that in mind, if you were to assume in the coming season top-half QB play, a top-third running game, a healthy offensive line, and a top-third defense, closer to what we saw in 2023, how far up could you see the Browns rise from its current dead last ranking. And are my hypotheticals wildly off the mark? _\- Karloso, Plymouth, MA_
**Hey, Karloso:** I think your hypotheticals are very reasonable! As for the top-half QB play, it’s not entirely out of the question. If Kenny Pickett flourishes in this QB-friendly scheme and lives up to the Browns’ expectations, he could climb into the top half of the QB rankings. I’m anxious to see the Pickett who was coached by former Eagles offensive coordinator and current Saints coach Kellen Moore this season.
In addition to having another year in the game under his belt, he spent the year with one of the best in the business in Moore, and also probably learned a lot from watching Jalen Hurts. If Joe Flacco starts, he can get the job done here as long as he cuts down on the turnovers. The running game should be top third with the two rookies, and the offensive line should certainly be healthier this season. A top-third defense is also within reach, especially if first-rounder Mason Graham and second-rounder Carson Schwesinger live up to the hype. If all of those things come to pass, the Browns can climb to at least middle of the pack, and maybe a little higher with some luck and health.
**Hey, Mary Kay:**
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If Deshaun Watson decides to retire before his contract is up, would the Browns still be on the hook for whatever payments are left? _— Paxton Styles, Cheverly, Md._
**Hey, Paxton:** No, the Browns wouldn’t be on the hook for the remaining salary if Watson retired, which is why he wouldn’t do it. His contract, worth a fully guaranteed $46 million a year, is up after next season, and he’s determined to come back and play. It may have to be for another team, but he certainly doesn’t feel close to being done yet. He’s coming along well in his rehab from the retorn Achilles, and hasn’t even been ruled out for later this season, although it’s probably unlikely he’ll see the field this year — at least not here. But he’ll make his full $230 million from the Browns whether he plays for them again or not, and won’t retire before it expires.
**Hey, Mary Kay!**
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A month later with no disrespect to the players, I still don’t understand the draft process. Spending four picks on quarterbacks and running backs with so many other gaps on the roster still doesn’t make sense especially if the plan is to draft a quarterback next year. Convince me I am wrong. _\-- Tom, Middlebury, Ct._
**Hey, Tom:** The Browns don’t draft for need and aren’t worried about a surplus at any given position. The thing to remember about their offseason is that they filled a lot of holes with free agents who will potentially play key roles this season, including edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas, defensive tackle Maliek Collins, safeties Rayshawn Jenkins and Damontae Kazee, and receiver Diontae Johnson.
I’m all for taking extra bites at the QB apple to try to find a starter and a backup. If it doesn’t work out, you try again. It’s the most important position on the team, and they needed some new faces in the room. If one of them hits, maybe they don’t have to spend a first round pick or two on a QB next year. There’s a good chance they will especially in a strong QB year, but it’s wise to increase their chances.
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