The Cleveland Browns will not win the AFC North. At least not this season. But coach Kevin Stefansi is building his 3-9 team for the future - assuming he's around to see it through.
The Cleveland Browns will not win the AFC North. At least not this season. But coach Kevin Stefansi is building his 3-9 team for the future - assuming he's around to see it through.
Poor quarterback play and injuries have derailed the 2024 season, so all that's left to do for the next five contests is evaluate talent and consider what positions need to be improved via the 2025 NFL Draft.
Nov 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Jordan Howden (31) tackles Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during the first half at Caesars Superdome.
© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
One of the potentially emerging stars is wideout Elijah Moore. He could either be an emerging star that fills out the receivers room or he could be one of the roster spots that gets replaced.
Now is the time for Stefanski and his staff to figure that out.
Moore's contract is up after the season, and after starting 2024 out of favor with the coaching staff, the Ole Miss product has quietly played his way back into favor.
So the big question is if he should be around next season and beyond. Alex Ballentine with Bleacher Report wrote Moore should be one of the top subjects for the Browns to asses this season.
"Cleveland has an emerging receiver room, and Moore could be the final piece to solidify the group for the next few seasons," Ballentine wrote. "However, the Browns need to see more of his recent form before it makes sense to give him a new contract."
Since the departure of Amar Cooper via trade to the Bills, Moore has begun to cement himself as a top option in the passing game. In Monday's road loss to the Broncos on Monday Night Football, the former SEC pass catcher totaled 111 yards on eight catches off 14 targets.
While he didn't score a touchdown, he did catch five first-down balls.
After arriving via trade from the Jets in March 2023, Moore had 59 receptions for 640 yards and two touchdowns last season. This year, he's at 50 catches for 447 yards and one score.
If he stays on the trajectory he's on, he could convince general manager Andrew Berry that he's worthy of a new contract.
