John Johnson III’s decision could reveal where the Browns blame

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Often in life, if you’re tasked with deciding between one or the other, the answer is usually closer to the two. Sport, like life, is rarely as simple as a decision, a player, a coach or a game. There are times when it is but, in those situations, it is easy to see and almost universal.

For example, the Cleveland Browns should have won the New York Jets game and the Los Angeles Chargers game, but even those situations were different. Several players or coaches could have done something different in the Jets game while Cade York only had to score a field goal at the end of the Chargers game.

Ever since it became clear the Browns weren’t making the playoffs, fans and media alike have tried to blame it simply on the players, coaches, or front office. As it seems very clear that GM Andrew Berry is going nowhere, we are left to try to decipher whether the team thinks it was a coaching issue or a player issue.

Or both.

Their one big pick so far shows they at least think the defensive coordinator was a problem. While HC Kevin Stefanski wouldn’t commit to special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, he’s still the coach as of Wednesday, so he’s likely safe.

Cleveland doesn’t have a major player decision to make yet.

Obviously, DE Jadeveon Clowney probably won’t be back and names fans know, like Kareem Hunt, DErnest Johnson, Greedy Williams, Anthony Walker Jr., Ethan Pocic and Deion Jones may be free agents, but the most big decision will come with John Johnson III. .

There are plenty of details on JJ3’s contract but, simplified, the Browns could save space by releasing him with the post-June 1 designation. That would push back a lot of Johnsons cap this year and save money overall.

What the team does with Johnson, a player who has been disappointed since signing in free agency, will be the first tell-tale of the team’s liability. If Johnson is retained and only a few changes are made on that side of the ball, Cleveland’s power structure will tell everyone they think the problem was Woods.

If Johnson is let go and/or significant turnover is made in the roster, especially on defense and much more than a normal offseason, it will be clear that the Browns saw the problems of 2022 as a problem both/ and with the players and training. .

Either way, if they don’t make it in 2023, the decision will likely be made that the ultimate problem is with those who were making the decisions, including Berry and Stefanski and, most likely, everyone else outside of the property. .

Do you think the Browns will keep JJ3? Do you think the Browns should keep JJ3?

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