"I feel like the plays I did give up I could have put myself in a better position Phase I, Phase 2, Phase 3," he said of his coverage. "It might be something very small, but it's a fine detail that might put me a step behind. And it's game by inches and you can be so close, but it might be one move that alters you from making that play...Not being technical sound in some reps, and it did hurt me. But for the most part I feel like I have been pretty close in coverage, but not as close as I would like to be."
Emerson has always played with a notable level of confidence, but at times last season, it became clear that this confidence had been shaken. Cornerbacks often face this challenge, as they need the ability to forget previous plays and move on to the next one in just seconds.
"I try to play with confidence and passion and swag, but sometimes those plays they have maybe lingered longer than I would like them to, and maybe sat in the back of my mind," he said. "And I probably played passive, and just not playing my game to its full potential."
Emerson has received encouragement from his coaching staff, who believe he will return to form after a challenging season. To improve, Emerson must make the necessary adjustments to his game to counter the strategies that opposing teams used against him last season.
The opportunity for an extension is still within reach for Emerson. He has demonstrated the ability to perform at an elite level for extended periods during his first two seasons in the league. He has the potential to become a key player in the Browns' secondary for many years. However, the first half of the 2025 season will be crucial for his development as a player and in deciding how the Browns view his future.
Can he demonstrate to the Browns that he is still the same player, but now capable of making the necessary adjustments to address the way that teams attacked him him last season? Once the league gains insights into a player's weaknesses, it can be challenging for them to modify their game to counter what opponents are doing. Emerson must prove that he can do this. If Emerson succeeds in making the appropriate adjustments to his game, a lucrative contract extension is likely to follow.