This past offseason, the Cleveland Browns underwent a major overhaul on offense. Mainly, the offensive line is the one group that needed a major facelift. The entire starting offensive line, from the left tackle all the way to the right tackle, is new. Perspective is key, and for those expecting the offensive line to look perfect instantly, set themselves up for disappointment.
Last Saturday, the Browns starting offensive line got their opportunity to play, and it looked like a group that has a long way to go. In the joint practice with the Buffalo Bills, the line held up mostly heading into the second preseason game.
If you were to compare this starting offensive line to last year’s offensive line on paper, you would see a major improvement. Last year’s original starters:
- LT: Dawand Jones
- LG: Joel Bitonio
- C: Ethan Pocic
- RG: Wyatt Teller
- RT: Jack Conklin
This unit fell apart mainly due to injuries but overall the unit was older and lacked definitive answers across the board. Fast forward to this season and the starting unit looks improved on paper:
- LT: Spencer Fano (R)
- LG: Zion Johnson
- C: Elgton Jenkins
- RG: Teven Jenkins/KT Leveston
- RT: Tytus Howard
On the field for the first preseason game, the unit looks like a group that hasn’t played together. That’s fine. As a group, it takes time for an offensive line to gain cohesion and time to gel. Expecting instant results is an unrealistic expectation.
Individually, the unit has some form of talent and veteran experience, especially in movement based plays. Collectively, the unit will get better the more they play together. In terms of the specific areas the group can improve in, the run game is the main area. Last Saturday exposed how new the group is but people should be patient with this line and allow them to have time to figure things out.
Whether it’s figuring out the right starting line combination to play or figuring out their issues in the pass/run game, the Browns offensive line is a work in progress and patience will be required for this group.
How patient do you think you can be with the group as they look to gel? What are your expectations for the OL ranking for 2026?
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