Exclusive: Will the Browns make a splash for a premier receiver such as the Bengals’ Tee Higgins to pair with Amari Cooper?

Hi Mary Kay:
The fans are clamoring for a bona-fide number No. 2 to pair with Amari Cooper. I don’t see that happening. Will Amari be on the roster next year with that contract and cap? I see the team being satisfied with the current receivers and expecting improvements from Elijah Moore, David Bell and Cedric Tillman. Will it go out for another receiver? – Eric Gangwer, Fremont, Ohio

Hi Eric: I think the Browns are targeting a potential Pro Bowl-caliber receiver to pair with Amari Cooper, such as Ty Higgins, who made a strong move against Deshaun Watson on Friday. The Bengals will do their best to keep him, but he may be out of their price range. Spotrac estimates its market value at $74.4 million over four years, or about $18.6 million per year. The Browns will need to restructure contracts this offseason to preserve cap space and add talent. Cooper will make about $24 million this year and is undergoing restructuring. But Cooper and Higgins, or Cooper and another Pro Bowl-caliber receiver, would be a dynamic duo for Watson, and that’s what he needs. Moore and other players will continue to improve, but the Browns still need weapons to help them, especially with the inevitable injuries. Other players set to become free agents include Michael Pittman of the Colts, Mike Evans of the Bucks, Marquise Brown of the Cardinals and Calvin Ridley of the Jaguars, all 1,000-yard receivers.

Hi Mary Kay:
Everyone is talking about Myles Garrett’s late season decline. But I realized he hasn’t been the same since he injured his shoulder. Do you think there’s something wrong with Miles’ shoulder? What will happen to Miles’ shoulder? — David, West Union, West Virginia.

Hi David: Garrett has never used his shoulder as an excuse to reduce his sack production and I don’t think he plans to fix that this season. The Browns have never been impressed with his five game winless streak or the fact that he has just one win in his last six games (14 total). In fact, they campaigned hard for him to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award because he was the #1 defensive tackle in the NFL all season.

Despite being on two more teams than anyone in the NFL except Micah Parsons, Garrett, who ranks second in pass blocking wins by ESPN Analytics, looks poised to win his first AP NFL Defensive Player award of the Year when announced in February. . The NFL Tribute Show was held in Las Vegas on the 8th.

What he lacks in the pocket, he makes up for with pressure and other disruptive plays. He earned first-team All-Pro honors and NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors from the Pro Football Writers of America for his efforts.

Hi Mary Kay:
Will Kevin Stefanski retire this year? I think that’s the only thing holding the Browns back. – Chris Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio

Hi Chris: I would decline the call if I thought there was someone on staff who would know better. General manager Andrew Berry believes this is one of Stefanski’s strengths and isn’t forcing Stefanski to give it up. He has called plays for five different quarterbacks this season, and Watson and Joe Flacco are each 4-1, not including the Colts win where Watson left in the first quarter. Stefanski has yet to find his way with Watson to some extent, but if Stefanski continues to work, he could have a good start to the season. Flacco was coached by Gary Kubiak in Baltimore in 2014, so he readily embraced Stefanski’s scheme. The Browns have been relatively easy on Flacco, allowing him to use his big arm to make plays down the field and show off his quarterback game every week. I think Stefanski should play a full season with Watson and see what they can do together. Hi Mary Kay:
I know you’re as curious as I am about the Browns interviewing (or not interviewing) Tim Kelly from the Titans. Are you waiting to explore its options? Or did the Browns just not find him? thank you Keep going! – Michael Bednarik, Milford, Ohio

Hi Michael: Thanks! I’m not sure why the Browns didn’t interview Kelly in the first wave of five candidates or why they didn’t talk to former Chargers OC Kellen Moore when he took the Eagles OC job.

I know Kelly would love to work with Watson again and I hear the feeling is mutual. They spent five years together in Houston, and Watson had two of his best statistical seasons with Kelly as the offensive coordinator or OC/balls coach. He was released by the Titans on Saturday and has been given permission to interview anyone. The Browns will select one of the remaining candidates they interviewed or expand their search. Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson and former Eagles coordinator Brian Johnson appear to be the two receivers.

Hi Mary Kay:
As a true Browns fan who was a running back, I can’t find an open hole for Jerome Ford and often say “North and South!” I have a feeling I won’t be able to find her. Can the new position coach handle it? Or is it an untrainable trait? – Greg Lever (Norwalk, Ohio)

Hi Greg: I think the Browns switched from Stump Mitchell to Deuce Staley as quarterbacks coach to bring fresh ideas to the position and unleash Ford’s rushing potential. The Browns have high expectations for Ford and think he can produce more and be more explosive in 2024. I think the running backs will improve with better training. Mitchell has been a great coach, but the Browns hope to inject some creativity and energy into the position.