The Cleveland Browns face an uphill battle as they prepare for the 2025 season.
With four quarterbacks competing for the starting role and Deshaun Watson still recovering from injury, the position remains unsettled.
Add a brutal AFC North schedule and tough matchups outside the division, and most analysts are keeping expectations low.
However, not everyone believes this will be a rebuilding year.
Browns legend Josh Cribbs refuses to join the pessimistic chorus surrounding his former team.
Cribbs recently shared his take on what Cleveland can accomplish this season.
“I am a little more biased because I was a player and my affinity for this team and the guys. I’m thinking 6 plus, 7 (wins), and then probably still another. But… it’s never as good as they say they are, and they’re never as bad as everyone thinks they are,” Cribbs said.
.@JoshCribbs16 believes the Browns are a 6-7 win team despite odds having them at 4.5 wins
“They’re never as good as they say they are, and they’re never as bad as everyone thinks they are.”
Presented by @pureavNEO https://t.co/WUFfyYErtD pic.twitter.com/Eo8E4r7lu4
— The Return With Josh & Maria Cribbs (@TheCribbsShow) May 22, 2025
The former return specialist makes a valid point about NFL expectations.
Cleveland’s path to respectability won’t come easily.
The Browns must navigate six divisional battles against the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Their non-divisional slate offers little relief, featuring several teams coming off successful 2024 campaigns.
Watson’s extended absence forces Cleveland to rely on Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, or a rookie quarterback between Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel.
That level of uncertainty at the sport’s most important position creates weekly challenges.
Reaching six wins would represent a significant achievement given the circumstances.
More conservative projections place the Browns around four or five wins, depending heavily on how well the supporting cast performs around their rotating quarterback situation.
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