CLEVELAND — At this point, the Cleveland Browns are no strangers to uncertainty.
But even by their standards, it's tough to know what to make of the upcoming 2022 campaign.
While Cleveland lays claim to one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, the Browns will be relying on backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett for the first 11 games of the 2022 season. After that, Deshaun Watson will take the reins of Cleveland's offense after serving his suspension for violating the league's Personal Conduct Policy following multiple accusations of sexual misconduct.
At this point, it's tough to know how Brissett will perform in Watson's absence and perhaps even tougher to know how Watson will play after missing the better part of the past two seasons. But between Myles Garrett, Nick Chubb, Denzel Ward, Amari Cooper, Kareem Hunt and one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, there's still plenty of optimism for Cleveland entering the upcoming campaign.
Speaking of which, the Browns will kick start their season on Sunday when they play the Carolina Panthers, who happen to be starting a familiar face in Baker Mayfield at quarterback. With that in mind, here's everything you need to know about Cleveland's 2022 season:
2022 Cleveland Browns' Coaching Staff
- Head coach: Kevin Stefanski
- Offensive coordinator: Alex Van Pelt
- Defensive coordinator: Joe Woods
- Offensive line coach: Bill Callahan
- Run game coordinator/running backs coach: Stump Mitchell
- Pass game coordinator/wide receivers coach: Chad O'Shea
- Quarterbacks coach: Drew Petzing
- Tight ends coach: T.C. McCartney
- Defensive pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach: Jeff Howard
- Defensive line coach: Chris Kiffin
- Linebackers coach: Jason Tarver
- Special teams coordinator: Mike Priefer
- Chief of staff/assistant wide receivers coach: Callie Brownson
Cleveland Browns' 2022 Coaching Staff Analysis:
For the third straight season, the Browns will employ the same head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator -- a rarity in the NFL. In fact, Cleveland has managed to keep the entirety of its coaching staff largely intact, with the lone exceptions being Drew Petzing moving from tight ends to quarterbacks, T.C. McCartney taking over as tight ends coach and chief of staff Callie Brownson adding assistant wide receivers coach to her responsibilities.
In his first two seasons as Browns head coach, Kevin Stefanski has faced no shortage of challenges and 2022 will be no exception. In fact, one could argue that given the circumstances at quarterback, this could be the 2020 NFL Coach of the Year's biggest test yet, as Cleveland attempts to stay in the playoff picture until Watson's return in early December.
On the defensive side of the ball, Joe Woods will oversee what should be one of the league's best units. All things considered, the stability on Cleveland's coaching staff shouldn't be viewed as anything less than a positive in a season in which uncertainty could be a constant.
Cleveland Browns' 2022 Offensive Depth Chart
Quarterback
- (Deshaun Watson)
- Jacoby Brissett
- Joshua Dobbs
- Kellen Mond
Running back
- Nick Chubb
- Kareem Hunt
- D'Ernest Johnson
Wide receiver
- Amari Cooper
- Anthony Schwartz
- Michael Woods II
Wide receiver
- Donovan Peoples-Jones
- David Bell
- Demetric Felton
Tight end
- David Njoku
- Jesse James
Tight end
- Harrison Bryant
Left tackle
- Jedrick Wills Jr.
- James Hudson III
Left guard
- Joel Bitonio
Center
- Ethan Pocic
- Michael Dunn
Right guard
- Wyatt Teller
- Hjalte Froholdt
Right tackle
- Jack Conklin
- Chris Hubbard
- Joe Haeg
Cleveland Browns' 2022 Offense Analysis:
Despite the questions at quarterback, the Browns still lay claim to the top running back duo in the NFL in Chubb and Hunt, with D'Ernest Johnson and rookie Jerome Ford rounding out the room.
At wide receiver, Cleveland acquired three-time Pro Bowl selection Amari Cooper, who should help upgrade the position group from a year ago. Cooper, however, is the only proven receiver currently on the Browns' roster, which should mean more opportunities for tight ends David Njoku and Harrison Bryant.
On the offensive line, Cleveland returns four of its five starters from a season ago, with Ethan Pocic replacing the injured Nick Harris -- who was set to succeed JC Tretter -- at center. After suffering a season-ending torn patella tendon last December, Jack Conklin returns at right tackle, although it remains to be seen when he'll make his 2022 debut.
Cleveland Browns' 2022 Defensive Depth Chart
Defensive end
- Myles Garrett
- Chase Winovich
- Isaiah Thomas
Defensive end
- Jadeveon Clowney
- Alex Wright
Defensive tackle
- Taven Bryan
- Perrion Winfrey
Defensive tackle
- Jordan Elliott
- Tommy Togiai
Mike linebacker
- Anthony Walker Jr.
- Jacob Phillips
Will linebacker
- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
- Tony Fields II
Sam linebacker
- Sione Takitaki
Cornerback
- Denzel Ward
- Greedy Williams
- A.J. Green
Cornerback
- Greg Newsome II
- Martin Emerson Jr.
Strong safety
- Grant Delpit
- Ronnie Harrison Jr.
Free safety
- John Johnson III
- D'Anthony Bell
- Richard LeCounte III
Cleveland Browns' 2022 Defense Analysis:
In Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, the Browns return one of the top defensive end duos in the NFL, which should help Cleveland consistently maintain pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Defensive tackle, meanwhile, stands out as one of the team's most glaring weaknesses, with the Browns currently lacking depth behind starters Jordan Elliott and Taven Bryan.
In Anthony Walker Jr., Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Sione Takitaki, Cleveland returns all three starting linebackers from a season ago, with Walker and Owusu-Koramoah expected to handle the bulk of responsibilities in nickel packages. The strength of the Browns' defense comes in the secondary, with third-round pick Martin Emerson Jr. joining a cornerbacks room that already includes Ward, Greg Newsome II and Greedy Williams, with Grant Delpit, John Johnson III and Ronnie Harrison Jr. returning as Cleveland's top three safeties.
Cleveland Browns' 2022 Special Teams Depth Chart
Punter
- Corey Bojorquez
Kicker
- Cade York
Holder
- Corey Bojorquez
Kick returner
- Demetric Felton
Punt returner
- Demetric Felton
Long snapper
- Charley Hughlett
Cleveland Browns' 2022 Special Teams Analysis:
The Browns overhauled their special teams room this offseason, signing punter Corey Bojorquez from the Green Bay Packers and drafting LSU kicker Cade York in the fourth found. In York, Cleveland is hopeful that it can have the type of consistent kicker -- and long-distance threat -- it has lacked since the departure of Phil Dawson.
Cleveland Browns' 2022 Schedule:
- Week 1: Sept. 11 at Carolina Panthers (1 p.m.)
- Week 2: Sept. 18: vs. New York Jets (1 p.m.)
- Week 3: Sept. 22 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Thursday Night Football, 8:15 p.m)
- Week 4: Oct. 2 at Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m.)
- Week 5: Oct. 9 vs. Los Angeles Chargers (1 p.m.)
- Week 6: Oct. 16 vs. New England Patriots (1 p.m.)
- Week 7: Oct. 23: at Baltimore Ravens (1 p.m.)
- Week 8: Oct. 31 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Monday Night Football, 8:15 p.m.)
- Week 9: Bye
- Week 10: Nov. 13: at Miami Dolphins (1 p.m.)
- Week 11: Nov. 20 at Buffalo Bills (1 p.m.)
- Week 12: Nov. 27: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 p.m.)
- Week 13: Dec. 4: at Houston Texans (1 p.m.)
- Week 14: Dec. 11 at Cincinnati Bengals (1 p.m.)
- Week 15: Dec. 17 or 18: vs. Baltimore Ravens (TBD)
- Week 16: Dec. 24: vs. New Orleans Saints (1 p.m.)
- Week 17: Jan. 1: at Washington Commanders (1 p.m.)
- Week 18: Jan. 7 or 8: at Pittsburgh Steelers (TBD)
Cleveland Browns 2022 betting odds
The sports betting website BetOnline has provided the following betting odds for the Browns' 2022 season:
Super Bowl
45/1 (20/32)
Conference Winner
20/1 (Tied 9/16)
Division Winner
9/2 (3/4)
Most Overall Wins
33/1
Division Final Standings
- 1st +450 (9/2)
- 2nd +265 (53/20)
- 3rd +150 (3/2)
- 4th +300 (3/1)
Regular Season Wins
Over/Under 8
Odds to Make Playoffs
- Yes +175 (7/4)
- No -215 (20/43)
MVP Odds
- Myles Garrett 250/1
- Nick Chubb 250/1
Rushing Leader
Nick Chubb 14/1
Rushing TD Leader
Nick Chubb 9/1
Receiving Leader
Amari Cooper 50/1
Most Receptions
Amari Cooper 28/1
Receiving TD Leader
Amari Cooper 33/1
Sack Leader
- Myles Garrett 15/2
- Jadeveon Clowney 100/1
Defensive Player of the Year
- Myles Garrett 9/1
- Denzel Ward 100/1
- Jadeveon Clowney 150/1
Coach of the Year
Kevin Stefanski 33/1
Nick Chubb Rushing Yards 2022 Regular Season
Over/Under 1150½
Nick Chubb Rushing TD's 2022 Regular Season
Over/Under 9
Amari Cooper Receptions 2022 Regular Season
Over/Under 69½
Amari Cooper Receiving Yards 2022 Regular Season
Over/Under 849½
Amari Cooper Receiving TD’s 2022 Regular Season
Over/Under 6½
Myles Garrett - Total Sacks 2022 Regular Season
Over/Under 13.5
Jadeveon Clowney - Total Sacks 2022 Regular Season
Over/Under 7