The latest Cleveland Browns news and notes from around the NFL in the Saturday Dawg Chow.
While the NFL prepared for the opening of the playoffs with Wild Card Weekend, the Cleveland Browns got a jump on their offseason plans.
It was a busy week in Cleveland, as the Browns:
- hired offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren to replace Andy Dickerson;
- began the search for a replacement for offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey;
- saw defensive end Myles Garrett keep stacking defensive awards;
- started to ponder what life might be like without running back Nick Chubb;
- signed nine players to futures/reserve contracts; and,
- learned they will host a game this fall in London.
That was all before Friday’s blockbuster news that quarterback Deshaun Watson re-tore his surgically repaired Achilles tendon, putting his 2025 season in even more jeopardy.
So while you prepare for this afternoon’s playoff game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans, and tonight’s “there are no winners” clash between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, dive into the latest news with today’s edition of the Saturday Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature:
- Browns Deshaun Watson suffers another major injury, 2025 in doubt which could greatly improve Browns salary cap (Jared Mueller) – The news broke on Friday that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson ruptured his Achilles tendon again, almost three months after the initial injury, and required another surgery.
- Browns to host international game, lose Cleveland home game on 2025 schedule (Jared Mueller) – The NFL announced on Friday that the Cleveland Browns would participate in the International Series this fall as one of the host teams in London.
- NFL Draft: What if, for the Browns, there are only 2 viable options with the second pick? (Damon Wolfe) – A beautiful consolation prize emerged over the last few weeks of the season, helping soften the blow of the Cleveland Browns’ 3-14 season. Walking away with the second overall pick sure gives hope to a fanbase that needs it more than ever.
- Myles Garrett named first-team All-Pro, but where is T.J. Watt? (Chris Pokorny) – Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was named First-Team All-Pro for the fourth time in his career on Friday.
- Browns add 3 candidates for OC job interviews after Tommy Rees (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns continue to cast a wide net as they look for a replacement for departed offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.
- Browns OC search: The common theme amongst current candidates (Matt Wilson) – The Cleveland Browns have been hard at work trying to find their next offensive coordinator and the common denominator among all the candidates revolves around the run game.
- Which other Browns received All-Pro consideration? (Chris Pokorny) – On Friday, it was unveiled that Myles Garrett was named a First-Team All-Pro, the only member of the Cleveland Browns to receive that honor for the 2024 NFL season. But which other members of the Browns at least received some consideration?
- Browns assistant leaves team to join USA Football (Matt Wilson) – Cleveland Browns Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Callie Brownson is officially leaving the team to join USA Football, the organization responsible for selecting, leading, and training the USA’s national flag football teams.
Cleveland Browns:
- A look at Deshaun Watson’s injury history, from Clemson to the NFL with Texans and Browns (cleveland.com) – Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is no stranger to injuries. Friday’s news is the latest in a string of injuries for the dual-threat quarterback, and casts an even bigger shadow on his time in Cleveland after the Browns traded a collection of draft picks to acquire him before signing him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
- What went wrong on the Browns’ offensive line this season, and what new position coach Mike Bloomgren might bring (cleveland.com) – Jack Conklin explained it best when asked on Browns locker clean-out day why he thought it didn’t work out with position coach Andy Dickerson.
- Deshaun Watson has 2nd surgery after Achilles tendon ruptures again (Browns Zone) – Deshaun Watson’s season and future with the Cleveland Browns are in serious doubt. The quarterback’s right Achilles tendon recently ruptured for the second time in less than three months and he had a second surgery to repair it Thursday, the Browns announced Friday.
- Has Deshaun Watson played his last game for the Browns? (ESPN) – The Cleveland Browns’ disastrous trade for Deshaun Watson took another turn Friday, as the team announced the quarterback tore his right Achilles tendon again and underwent a second surgery. Watson’s standing as Cleveland’s starter was already uncertain, and his latest setback places a greater spotlight on the Browns’ quarterback situation this offseason.
NFL:
- Inside the New York Giants’ dysfunctional 3-14 season (ESPN) – Less than 24 hours after an embarrassing blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants third-year head coach Brian Daboll spent his Monday film session with players trying to convince them they were wrong to say their effort was “soft” and lacked overall commitment in a season spiraling out of control after a 31-7 demolition at home to the Bucs.
- Tank Dell returns to Texans’ facility before playoff opener (Houston Chronicle) – Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs joined his teammates at NRG Stadium on Christmas Day despite being sidelined with a season-ending ACL injury. Tank Dell took a play out of the veteran wideout’s playbook Thursday before Saturday’s AFC wild card game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
- The year of the NFL’s running back revival (The Ringer) – The running back market hit rock bottom in 2023. Now, thanks to transcendent seasons from Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, the position is cooler, and more relevant, than ever.