It seems obvious that the Cleveland Browns will return to the glory years of the team’s run-first offense in 2025. Some will note that the lack of certainty at quarterback is one of the reasons, and a good one, but the talent of RBs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, along with Jerome Ford returning, would help the Browns limit their passing attempts this season.
If the comparisons between Alvin Kamara and Sampson come to pass, Cleveland might have a close facsimile to the Kevin Mack/Ernest Byner combo that led the team a few decades ago.
The Browns may not be transitioning to a run-first offense just because they are from Cleveland, in the AFC North, have questions at quarterback and have a talented stable of running backs. They may also be moving quickly to the next stage of NFL evolution. About every decade or so, things start to shift in the NFL as teams adjust to the current fad. With passing games controlling games, defenses have shifted to smaller, faster players at all three levels.
Last year, that led to the return of the running game leading the way, including this historical note:
The top 6 teams in rush yards all made the playoffs for the 1st time in NFL history (BAL, PHI, WSH, TB, GB, DET)
— Doug Clawson (@doug_clawson) January 9, 2025
Unlike what is currently known with the Browns, all six of those teams also had quality or top-notch quarterback play. The next adjustment in the NFL may not be all or nothing in running the football, but leading with the run game while having a quarterback who can make plays. For Cleveland, the question is whether any of their current quarterbacks (or one they select high in the 2026 NFL draft) can be as good as this group:
Lamar Jackson
Jalen Hurts
Jayden Daniels
Baker Mayfield
Jordan Love
Jared Goff
Hurts and the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, for example, only threw for 187.9 yards per game in 2024 (fourth lowest in the NFL), with the Washington Commanders the next lowest passing offense from that list of six at 215.6 yards per game.
If the Browns can find even that level of quarterback play, and the league doesn’t transition back to “all pass, all the time” quickly, perhaps DE Myles Garrett could get his wish of a competent team sooner rather than later.
Do you think the next cycle of the NFL involves a larger emphasis on the rushing attack and, therefore, not requiring the most elite QB talent to make the playoffs and beyond?