After two consecutive seasons that ended horribly, analysts are reflecting on when and where the Cleveland Browns’ offense unit failed.

In his latest appearance on the Ken Carmen Show with Anthony Lima, Browns’ expert Darly Ruiter called out the franchise’s offensive line and said the team needs a stronger wide receiver as well. 

“Offensive line is a reclamation project waiting to happen. And incompetent QB play,” he said.

Ruiter blamed the frustrating quarterback situation for resulting in a 5-14 record in the 2025 season. Rookie Shedeur Sanders was a massive letdown who couldn’t throw more than seven touchdowns. He, however, managed 10 interceptions and got sacked 23 times. 

Dillon Gabriel, who made 10 starts, threw seven touchdowns against two interceptions.

But the Quarterbacks Were Just One End of the Problem

The Wide Receivers Are Just as Blame

“The issue for the Browns is they don't have a prolific number 1 wide receiver like JSN. I worry the Browns missed their runway,” he added. 

Ruiter made his comments just a day after the Seattle Seahawks won their second Super Bowl championship. Although the Seahawks won because of their defense, Ruiter brought up Jaxon Smith-Njigba for his stunning overall performance. 

Smith-Njigba scored 10 touchdowns for 1,793 yards and made 119 receptions in 2025. Compared to the Super Bowl champion, Jerry Jeudy made two touchdowns for 602 yards, and Isiah Bond made none.

However, Ruiter also added that Quinshon Judkins has shown potential until he was out due to his season-ending injury. He called Judkins a “dominant” player after the rookie carried the ball 230 times for 827 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

But what concerned Ruiter the most was that the Browns have the best defense in the league, and yet they ended at the bottom.

“With this defense that they have, the foundational pieces to it- Myles Garrett, now Carson Schwesinger, Denzel Ward,” he added.

“You’re gonna have a new defensive coordinator, and I’m expecting a natural drop-off on that side of the ball. I’m expecting the offence to get better because the offence can’t get much worse.”

The offense’s failures have spilled over onto the defensive unit. And just as Todd Monken brought in hope as the new head coach, the Browns were hit with Jim Schwartz’s resignation. Who will fill in his shoes now? Do you agree with Ruiter’s assessment? 

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Joyita Das