Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam finally was transparent about the Browns’ plans for the future.
Cleveland Browns’ owner Jimmy Haslam didn’t hold back on Friday as he met with the media following the Browns’ 3rd Training Camp practice. Everything was on the table, from betting on the Browns’ win total to talking about the future; Haslam covered it all.
The main takeaway from Haslam’s state of the union address is the immediate future for the Cleveland Browns. He said that, “We want to be a contending team in 2027. That doesn’t mean we can’t make it in ’26.”
Finally, they said it out loud. They are notoriously an organization that beats around the bush when speaking about situations like this, but for the first time, they just said what the plan was. They are putting the pieces in place to be a contending team in 2027.
Now, Haslam did say that doesn’t mean they can’t make a run this year, because why not. Let’s just say Shedeur Sanders shows that he is the quarterback of the future, or they find a diamond in the rough somewhere else? Then heck yes, go win football games.
However, if that is not the case and the Browns throw up another stinker in 2026, this roster will ideally be set for the next quarterback who comes in in 2027, whoever that may be. Maybe it is one of the star rookies, or maybe it is a free agent acquisition; regardless, it will be the expectation that that player comes to a roster that is ready-made for them to go to work.
Now, as we look back, a lot of the recent roster moves make a whole lot of sense. The Denzel Ward extension makes sense just as the Grant Delpit one does. Those players are cornerstone players who are still playing incredible football. Sure, if someone comes knocking with a first-round pick, Andrew Berry is going to listen.
If not, these are high-quality NFL players that are going to be critical for the Browns if they want to contend and be successful in 2027.
This messaging also gives a guy like Todd Monken an extended runway. This isn’t going to be a situation where if he only wins four or five games next year, he will be on the hot seat. Now, if he throws out a Freddie Kitchens type of team, then all bets are off. If Cleveland is competent and competitive week after week, then no matter the outcome, Monken can coach without the fear of the grim reaper coming to get him.
For the first time in a long time, the Browns organization was transparent about their plans for the future, and it helps everyone make sense of what they are ultimately trying to accomplish with each and every move they make.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns’ owner Jimmy Haslam reveals expectations for 2026 and beyond
Reporting by Anthony Moeglin, Browns Wire / Browns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Anthony Moeglin, Browns Wire | USA TODAY Network
