Browns Given Low Win Projection With Serious Roster Concern

After winning just five games a year ago, the Cleveland Browns decided enough was enough, letting go of head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken now takes over as the leading man in the building, giving him a chance to help this franchise build its roster. But entering the new NFL season, the Browns aren't being viewed very highly.

ESPN has given the Browns a 5.8 projected win total for the upcoming season. Additionally, Cleveland has been given a 5.4 percent chance to make the playoffs and a 1.0 percent chance to win the AFC North.

While the defense should still be good, even without star pass rusher Myles Garrett, the offense is a work in progress. Specifically, the quarterback position is a cause for concern, with the Browns not having a set long-term answer.

Veteran Deshaun Watson has been named the starter to open the year, but this move has been met with some controversy from the Browns' fans. Still, Monken has stood behind his decision, hoping for the best with the new year set to begin.

Behind him is Shedeur Sanders, who has quickly become a fan favorite in Cleveland. Sanders started a few games last year, showing some promise in a limited amount of time.

In eight games (seven starts), Sanders went 3-4, throwing for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. But while his performance didn't result in a ton of wins, the Browns offense did look much more together with Sanders leading the charge.

Most people believe that Sanders will eventually take over as the starter for the Browns during the season. But this lack of a set plan could spell trouble for the Browns, failing to put it all together this year.

With Monken being in his first year, the Browns will just be looking to build for the future. But the quarterback spot is something that this franchise will need to address at some point.

Sanders could end up being the long-term answer for Cleveland, but in order to figure that out, he will need reps. This is why the decision to start Watson has turned some people off on the Browns, but Monken believes in what he is building.

2026 will be very telling for the Browns, with the coaching staff trying to figure out who will be with the team for the future. Even if this means that the team won't win many games, this is a sacrifice in the short-term to finally build a sustained winner down the line.