1) The Browns have gotten the full Jameis Winston package: big plays and head-scratching turnovers. What is the attitude in Cleveland? Is it inevitable that he opens 2025 as the starting quarterback?

I ran a poll two weeks ago asking whether fans wanted Jameis Winston back, and about 75% of them said they’d be in favor of him returning as the starter in 2025. The offense has shown the ability, with his obvious hiccups, to put up 30+ points and 300+ yard passing games. However, we also saw Joe Flacco light it up last year, and this front office did not even offer him a contract to return for another season. Therefore, it’s hard to project what they have in mind. It’s clear that Deshaun Watson doesn’t have ‘it,’ but will the team decide to give it one more shot, considering how much they are paying him? Or will they try to make a play for some other quarterback on the market? Kevin Stefanski has had success with every quarterback who has played for him except Watson. Even P.J. Walker — who sucked — was 2-1 as the starter last year in Stefanski’s offense (even though Ken Dorsey is the offensive coordinator now). I don’t think it’s inevitable that Winston is the 2025 opening day starter, but we wouldn’t be opposed to it as fans. We certainly don’t want it to be Watson.

2) The Chiefs have been particularly vulnerable to tight ends. If his hamstring injury keeps David Njoku off the field, how dangerous can the Browns’ other tight ends be?

It doesn’t look like Njoku is going to be able to play this Sunday. Behind him on the depth chart are Jordan Akins and Blake Whiteheart, who I would label as average backup tight ends. Akins is good for one solid athletic catch every couple of weeks, and Whiteheart has made a nice grab or two in limited action. The wide receivers have been the focal point of the offense since Jameis Winston took over as the starter, though. It’s possible you’ll see a 4-catch, 50-yard type of game from Akins, but I wouldn’t expect it to be the type of performance that breaks the Chiefs’ back.

3) Chiefs fans are (rightfully) terrified of what Myles Garrett might do in this game. How do you think the rest of the defense matches up against the Chiefs?

The Browns’ defense has been very frustrating this season, particularly the secondary. What you’ll see is that the defense is dominant for certain stretches of the game — and then all of a sudden, they fall apart with a big lapse, blown coverage, etc. in the secondary. Also, even though he hadn’t been playing the best, cornerback Greg Newsome went on IR this week, which means we’ll probably see backup Cameron Mitchell getting some reps as the third cornerback. With the amount of lapses in communication the Browns have had — and Patrick Mahomes’ ability to extend plays — I’d be worried as a Browns fan. A few weeks ago, Bo Nix escaped the pocket but then made some bad decisions or bad throws when he had guys pretty wide open. Mahomes won’t miss those guys.

4) Realistically, what direction do you see the Browns going this offseason? They simultaneously seem incapable of either going all in with this group or blowing it up entirely.

It’s a predicament. The one positive we face is that finally, we can start adding talent via the draft again, since we haven’t had a first-round pick for the last three years. That can upgrade one position, and then if the quarterback situation had been different, I think the narrative for the 2024 Browns can be a lot different. There are other questions too, though. Nick Chubb coming back has been a feel-good story, but he looks pedestrian so far. Will he get back to being one of the best backs in the league next year? How does the defense ‘get back’ to being tops in the league (personally, I feel that is the defensive coordinator’s fault for not adapting to teams figuring him out). There is a lot of talent on this team to compete, so I think making small tweaks (with the exception of quarterback) is the right approach for next year.

5) The Chiefs are currently a -4.5 road favorite. Do you think that line is fair? How do you see this one playing out?

Even though the Chiefs have been winning games by only 2-3 points, I think the line is certainly fair. The Browns are 3-10 and the Chiefs are 12-1; it’s not easy with the records alone to just think, ‘Sure, I’ll take the Browns to lose by only a field goal’ — especially with the Chiefs’ defense being solid and Winston throwing interceptions late in games. That’s something that can instantly flip a 4-point game to an 11-point game. I’m taking the Chiefs to win this week by about 6 or 7 points.