Three important decisions the Browns must make before regular season

The Cleveland Browns proved to have one of the most complete rosters in the league after making the playoffs with five different starting quarterbacks last season. They were able to retain most of their key free agents, leaving injuries as the main thing that could hold them back once again.

With that in mind, here are three important decisions the Browns must make before the start of the regular season.

Who will lead the backfield if Nick Chubb isn't ready?

In Week 2 of last season, Chubb tore the MCL and damaged the ACL in the same knee he injured in 2015 at Georgia. That has left his status for the start of the 2024 season up in the air.

If Chubb is healthy, he'll undoubtedly lead Cleveland's backfield after rushing for 6,511 yards and 48 touchdowns in his six-year NFL career. If he isn't ready by Week 1, the team must make a tough decision.

The Browns have a few options in Jerome Ford, D'Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines, but the three only rushed for 1,238 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023.

Luckily, general manager Andrew Berry seemed encouraged by Chubb's progress on Monday.

"He still has a little ways to go, but we're really happy to see where he is as we enter camp and look forward to him [continuing] to improve the health of the knee," Berry said .

Who will be Deshaun Watson's backup?

Watson will also be Cleveland's undoubted starting quarterback if he is fully healthy after a season-ending shoulder injury.

However, that is something he has struggled with lately. The 28-year-old has played in just 12 games due to a suspension and injuries since the Browns traded a king's ransom for him, which included three first-round picks.

That's why whoever wins the backup quarterback job could be just as important if Watson continues to struggle to stay on the field.

Cleveland made it a point of emphasis this offseason, too, signing capable veterans Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley in free agency.

Is the inside linebacker room good enough?

The Browns boasted the best defense in the league in total yards allowed per game ( 270.2 ) last season, and while they were able to retain most of their key free agents, they were forced to rebuild their inside linebacker room.

Cleveland lost starters Anthony Walker Jr. (Dolphins) and Sione Takitaki (Patriots) in free agency and answered by signing veteran Jordan Hicks and first-round bust Devin Bush.

Hicks is coming off yet another productive year in which he registered 107 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, one interception and five passes defensed in 13 games with the Vikings. Still, he is on the back end of his career at 32.

On the other hand, Bush has never been the same player since tearing his ACL in his second year. In 2023, he recorded just 37 tackles in 13 games with the Seahawks.

If one or both players underwhelm in the preseason, the Browns may be forced to add someone else to the room.