Steelers' AFC North Rival Cleveland Browns Reportedly Making Hilarious Organizational Decision For 2025

Pittsburgh Steelers fans often take it for granted being able to root for such a well-run and highly-functioning organization. Many fans around the NFL, and all major sports, can't say the same. There is a select group of teams in every league that is usually extremely bad, aside from a random year or two that should be considered nothing more than a flash in the pan. Luckily for Pittsburgh fans, one of those poorly-run organizations is in the AFC North in the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns have been one of the worst teams in the NFL throughout the 21st century. To put things into perspective, the Steelers have not had a losing season since 2003, meanwhile Cleveland has had just four non-losing seasons in the 21st century. Cleveland thought it turned things around by acquiring Deshaun Watson ahead of the 2022 season, but he has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL since arriving in Cleveland. 

Fans have been calling for Watson's job and his departure from Cleveland, and for the job of General Manager Andrew Berry, who made the putrid decision to bring in Watson. CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones wrote about how the Browns are not expected to change much after the failure that was the 2024 season.

"Reigning NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski, General Manager Andrew Berry and quarterback Deshaun Watson are all expected back for the Browns next season, sources say." Jones wrote. "Stefanski and Berry will be at the controls next year, but it's unclear what Watson's role will be as he recovers from Achilles surgery."

Head Coach Kevin Stefanski being brought back isn't a surprise. He has been the best coach that Cleveland has had during the 21st century, and has won the NFL's Coach Of The Year Award twice in his five-year tenure as the head coach. The decisions that have dragged the Browns down have not been inflicted by the head coach, but rather the general manager and ownership.

The Browns have a big issue at quarterback, but it is the organization's own fault. Ahead of the 2022 season, the Browns traded three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks to the Houston Texans in exchange for Watson. This came after the quarterback did not play the entire 2021 season due to his serious off-the-field troubles. Not only did the Browns gamble their future draft capital on a quarterback who hadn't played in a year and that was facing serious legal trouble, but they also signed him to a fully-guaranteed five-year deal worth $230 million.

It's safe to say this move by Cleveland hasn't worked out. Watson was suspended for the first part of the 2022 season. In 2023, he missed nearly half of the season, and in 2024, he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 7, and was ruled out for the year. Watson was having one of the worst quarterback seasons ever, and many questioned why he hadn't been benched yet. It became clear that Stefanski wasn't making the decision, and Watson's contract and investment from the organization probably made it a necessity for him to be on the field.

Steelers Receive Good News About Future Of Their Rivalry With The Browns

Overall, the Browns retaining Berry and Watson is good news for the Steelers. Watson is recovering from a serious injury, so it is unclear if he will be back for the start of the 2025 season, but he is 0-2 against Pittsburgh when suiting up for Cleveland. Berry coming back is also good for the Steelers, as the general manager may continue to make bad decisions that puts the franchise in a deeper hole. Another thing to note is that Berry is likely a part of the higher ups that refused for Watson to be benched, which could certainly bode well for the Steelers in the future.

What do you think about the Browns holding on to all three pieces? Let us know in the comments below!

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