The Cleveland Browns shook things up this offseason with major roster and coaching changes. Yet despite their aggressive overhaul, they were left off ESPN’s most-improved list, a decision that hasn’t gone over well with local insiders.

Host Mike Lucas of Ultimate Cleveland Sports pointed out that even after hiring Todd Monken as head coach and ESPN gave their draft an A+ grade, the Browns were not included on the list. However, Garrett Bush admitted he was glad the Browns were left off the list.

“I actually prefer the Cleveland Browns getting no love, to be honest with you, because it puts you in a position where, when you go out and actually earn it, fine, that's what's up. Now you're a team that has young players who came out of nowhere, and it's undeniable at that point,” said Bush.

The Browns executed a major overhaul this offseason when they traded the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, to the Los Angeles Rams for a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-rounder, a 2029 third-rounder, and Jared Verse.

They also revamped their staff with Travis Switzer as their new offensive coordinator, Mike Rutenberg as their new defensive coordinator, and Byron Storer as the special teams coordinator.

Despite these changes, ESPN ranked the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, and Cincinnati Bengals as its five most improved teams.

That said, while Garrett Bush believes the Browns don't need to be on this list, Jason Lloyd and Adam the Bull have a different perspective.

Have the Cleveland Browns Done Enough to Crack the NFL's Most Improved List?

Garrett Bush is confident that the team can make it through the season, but Adam the Bull has a much more skeptical view of the changes to the team's core, saying he believes the Browns will win only five games this season.

“I’ve got them winning five games this year, so that's not an improvement. Hiring Todd Monken? You can say it might be an upgrade over Kevin Stefanski, but that's a big if. He's never been a head coach,” said Adam. “You traded for Jared Verse. He's a very good player, but you traded Myles Garrett to get him, so that's a downgrade.”

Hearing what Adam had to say, Jason Lloyd argued that the roster looks better than it did last year, but the Browns still don't rank among the NFL's most improved teams.

"I think the roster is better than it was last year. I'm not going to sit here and stand on the table and say it's one of the most improved teams in the NFL,” said Jason Lloyd.

With a 5–12 record last season, the Browns were one of the worst teams in the league, struggling offensively throughout the year.

Even after making significant roster changes, the team continues to face criticism from skeptics. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore