BEREA — Training camp is the chance for teams like the Browns to get some answers to plenty of questions.
The reality for a team like the Browns, who are coming off an 11-6 season that resulted in a playoff berth, is that the number of questions aren't necessarily as plentiful as they were when they were trying to find success. Their roster is, for the most part, void of a whole lot of spots that are truly wide-open.
The fact there aren't a lot of questions for the Browns entering camp doesn't mean there are no questions to answer, though. The next two days, we look at some of the big questions for the start of camp, which starts with the first practice at The Greenbrier on Thursday.
Today, we start with the big offensive questions going into Browns training camp.
Will Amari Cooper's contract dispute impact training camp?
The biggest story of the offseason emerged the final week of the Browns' offseason program when wide receiver Amari Cooper did not report for the mandatory minicamp. He's looking for a contract extension from the Browns as he goes into the final year of his deal, something that had not happened as of yet.
The challenge of making the right deal is Cooper's age. He turned 30 on June 17, which complicates what is the perfect combination of years and average annual value for a player who, it should be noted, has been both highly productive and almost always available on game day.
If a deal doesn't get done before Tuesday, when veterans are required to report to the Browns facility, what does Cooper do? He could risk a daily fine by holding out or he could do as running back Kareem Hunt did during the 2022 camp and "hold-in," refusing to do anything beyond individuals drills.
Of course, another option could be that Cooper shows up on time and doesn't allow the contract dispute to be a distraction. There's also the possibility the dispute gets settled before Tuesday, which would make all of the words before this null and void.
How long before Deshaun Watson is allowed to fully participate?
Quarterback Deshaun Watson's surgically repaired shoulder would be question No. 1 going into camp if not for Cooper's contract. As it stands, it's still a big question, although it's more of a "when" question than an "if" one.
Watson had the surgery on his right shoulder on Nov. 21, and didn't start throwing again until March 19. He threw on the first and third day of minicamp, taking a step forward in the process by adding 7 on 7 drills to his list of permissible activities.
Over the monthlong break, Watson did some traveling, including a get-together with several of his Browns teammates at a undisclosed location. He did throw during that time as well, and said Wednesday at his 7 on 7 high school tournament that "(t)here haven't been any setbacks or anything that's holding me back from going forward so far."
What awaits when the Browns start practice is the amount of work Watson will have on a daily basis. He will no doubt get his rest days during camp, but it will be interesting to see how quickly he reaches full participation in drills — specifically, 11 on 11 drills — as well as if he plays in any of the three preseason games.
When does Nick Chubb starts practicing after his knee injury?
The video that emerged last Monday of Nick Chubb doing two squat reps of what appeared to be more than 540 pounds was just the latest piece of evidence that the four-time Pro Bowl running back appears to be on the fast track back from a knee injury he suffered last Sept. 18. That injury required not one, but two, surgeries, the last coming on Nov. 14.
However, it would be foolish to take that as evidence Chubb will be on the field when the Browns open camp in West Virginia. There's been no indication he won't be initially placed on the active/physically unable to perform list on Tuesday.
That isn't a long-term negative, though, for Chubb. He could be activated from the PUP list at any point, which is the question all involved are anxious to have answered.
The earlier in camp Chubb does start practicing, the more hope that raises for a possible return to game action earlier in the regular season. The earlier that happens, the earlier everyone can get an idea of which Chubb the Browns may be getting after a second major knee injury in his career.
Is there a step forward among the Cleveland Browns' young wide receivers?
General manager Andrew Berry hasn't been shy about taking swings in the draft on wide receivers. David Bell and Cedric Tillman are both Berry third-round picks, and he's also used day-three draft picks on Jamari Thrash and Michael Woods II.
There are three wide receiver spots seemingly firm at the top of the depth chart in Cooper, Jerry Jeudy — acquired in a trade with the Denver Broncos in March — and Elijah Moore. However, the Browns need at least one, if not more, of those past draft picks to truly blossom into a player who could even push his way into the top three.
Bell had two massive fourth-down catches against San Francisco and Jacksonville, as well as a big regular-season finale at Cincinnati, last season as a second-year pro, while Tillman showed flashes but far from consistency during his rookie season. Woods spent last season, his second in the league, recovering from an Achilles tear. Thrash, meanwhile, was taken in the fifth round in April's draft out of the University of Louisville.
That's the group from which the Browns hope to see much more than flashes this season. Otherwise, they'll likely need to spend more draft capital next April on the position in the search for young talent.
Who's going to call the plays: Kevin Stefanski or Ken Dorsey?
Nothing generates more opinions on sports talk radio than a good play-caller discussion. That's arose this year when coach Kevin Stefanski shook up his offensive coaching staff, with Ken Dorsey among the additions as the offensive coordinator.
That's led to the question of whether Stefanski, who has called the plays since being hired in 2020, or Dorsey will be the one calling plays this season. It's a question Stefanski has avoided answering since Dorsey's hiring.
Anyone looking for breadcrumbs to an answer could point to minicamp, where Dorsey was the one radioing in the plays on the walkie-talkie to Watson on the days he was actually an active participant in practice. It will be interesting to see if Stefanski settles the question once and for all early in training camp.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
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