INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry answers questions from the media during the NFL, American Football Herren, USA Scouting Combine on March 1, 2022, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire NFL: MAR 01 Scouting Combline Icon2203013406

Jul 3, 2026, 12:30 PM CUT

Analyst identifies one serious on-field issue that cost the Browns last year

The Cleveland Browns' offense was a bottom-feeding one last year. Ranked at 30th overall for its total offense, it did lead in one aspect: penalties. Now, going into the 2026 season, the team has to work on avoiding mistakes from the season.

“The Browns ranked second in offensive penalties per game, an improvement from 2024, when they ranked as the No. 1 most penalized offensive unit,” Sharp Football Analysis reported. “Those penalties accounted for 60% of the team's overall penalties, versus the NFL average of 47.7% in 2025.”

In 2025, the Browns were caught with offensive holding 23 times against the league’s average of 21.38 times. They lost 216 yards that to in 17 home games and six away, according to NFL Penlaties.

December 14, 2025: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 runs with the ball during the game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, IL. /CSM Chicago United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20251214_zma_c04_165 Copyright: xMikexWulfx

As per the analysis, pre-snap infractions hold an overwhelming 45% space in the overall penalties from last season. They are further divided into 21 false starts and 11 delays of game.

Dawg Pound Daily reported that the primary contributing factor to the piled up penalties is the insatiable quarterback roster. The ever-shuffling position has lead to issues with continuity in game plans, which adds even more pressure to find a reliable starter this season.

“A revolving door of quarterbacks certainly played a major factor. Six different QBs have started games for the Browns since Deshaun Watson's first Achilles injury in 2024,” Ryan O'Leary wrote on July 3.

Apart from pre-snap penalties, the Browns have had an embarrassing display of other issues too. In three games last season, the Browns were flagged for having more than needed players on the field.

The September 21 game against the Green Bay Packers, the October 12 game against the Washington Commanders and the 31-3 December game against the Chicago Bears were glaring examples of this fault.

They remain as the third-most penalized offense in the fourth quarter of games per the report. While the offense suffered constantly, the defense reigned superior in stark contrast.

The Cleveland Browns defense remains better in a new aspect

It is no secret that the Browns are a dysfunctional team from within. The imbalance between the offense and defense runs deep, reflected in their penalties too. Garded B-, the Browns were one of the most fined teams in the NFL in 2025.

Yet, it was top-10 in generating false start and delay of game infractions on opposing offenses. In generating pre-snap infractions, it ranked first and ninth, respectively.

“The penalty discrepancy between the offense and defense provides additional proof of the gulf between the subpar offense and its dominant defense,” the report read.

The defense’s achievement is remarkable considering the unit did not even lead in most of the games. This alarming report is a wake-up call for the Browns to improve in the long term. What are your thoughts?

Written by

Akanksha Biradar