BEREA — The only statistics that matter for the Browns in the end are the ones the scoreboard showed at the end of each game. From there, the wins and losses get added up to form the only other numbers that matter — the record.
The Browns head into the season finale at the Cincinnati Bengals having played 16 games already. Four times they had more points than the other team at the end of the game.
That has resulted in a 4-12 record, which is actually an improvement over the previous season’s 3-14. The problem is it might not be enough improvement to save jobs in the organization, depending on decisions owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam make at the conclusion of the Cincinnati game.
Although the final scores of individual games and the overall record are the only numbers that ultimately matter, underneath all of that are some numbers that can at least provide some level of context. Those are some of the numbers being looked at below.
Browns stats for 2025 season
Here’s a look at the most eye-popping stats that illustrate the Browns roster shortfalls and point toward where the organization must focus on improving in the offseason.
1. Browns starting offensive line combinations
The Browns ran out the offensive line of Dawand Jones at left tackle, Joel Bitonio at left guard, Ethan Pocic at center, Wyatt Teller at right guard and Jack Conklin at right tackle for the opener against the Bengals in Cleveland. That group played exactly 20 plays together before Conklin left with an eye injury. By the time they played the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6, they had started their sixth different offensive line combination. By the time they played the Steelers in Week 17, they had started 10 different line combinations, and both opening-day tackles and the opening-day center were on season-ending injured reserve. Their opening-day right guard headed onto injured reserve this week, leaving only Bitonio. Depending on who starts at right guard against Cincinnati, the Browns could be starting their 11th different line combination in 17 games. It’s untenable to have that much uncertainty up front anytime.
2. Browns scoring average
This one’s been a point, no pun intended, hammered over and over again. The Browns have scored 16.2 points per game this season, ahead of only the Las Vegas Raiders‘ 14.2 average and more than a full point behind the Tennessee Titans‘ 17.3 average. Five times have the Browns scored at least 20 points. Amazingly enough, only two of those — 31-6 over the Miami Dolphins and 24-16 over the hapless Raiders — resulted in wins. They’ve won as many games scoring exactly 13 points as they have scoring 20 or more points. Those scoring struggles are a carryover from the previous season, and they speak to an overall lack of personnel answers on offense, specifically at quarterback, wide receiver and offensive line. Those answers, or lack thereof, are why the Browns have won seven games combined in the last two seasons.
3. Browns wide receiver production
The Browns wide receiving corps has combined for 111 catches for 1,394 yards and four touchdowns. Almost 43% of the catches (48), 42% of the yards (585) and half of the touchdowns (two) were produced by Jerry Jeudy, who has universally been seen as having a terrible season. A year ago, Jeudy had 90 catches, 1,229 yards and four touchdowns on his own. This year, beyond Jeudy not producing the way he was being paid to produce, the rest of the group was a collection of young and/or unproven players, none of whom was able to emerge as a consistent threat in the passing game. Yes, quarterback had something to do with that, no doubt about it. However, although there is some minor promise with a couple of the young wide receivers — Isaiah Bond and Malachi Corley have had moments — this is a position that, should it get ignored again this offseason, could be line No. 1 on any epitaph for general manager Andrew Berry’s Browns tenure.
4. Browns kickoff/punt yards per return allowed
The Browns have one loss this season to one of the absolute worst teams in the league entirely because of special teams returns. Cleveland gave up both a kickoff return and a punt return against the New York Jets — in a 34-second stretch, no less. Those are two of the three scores they’ve allowed on returns, but it’s far from just the scores directly coming off returns. It’s the field position that was set up by coverage units that allowed 28.1 yards per kickoff return and 13.4 yards per punt return. In a 31-29 win over the Browns, the Titans’ first score was set up because of a return to midfield on the opening kickoff. That was a boost for them, although they weren’t the only team to get that jump.
5. Starting quarterbacks
The Browns started three different quarterbacks this season, which was actually the lowest total for them since 2022. This time, Joe Flacco couldn’t save them, as he lost the job going into Week 5. By the end of Week 6, he was traded to Cincinnati. Third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel got the next go of it starting in Week 5, and it wasn’t much better, even if some of the basic stats — 59.5 completion percentage, 3.8 touchdown percentage, two interceptions, 1.1 interception percentage and 80.6 passer rating — are the best of the three. Gabriel’s concussion in Week 11 opened the door for fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders to start the remainder of the season. Sanders has absolutely had his moments. He also has averaged 6.8 yards on his pass attempts, which is best of the three. However, there’s still the question of whether he’s really the answer at the position going into the 2026 season.
What’s next for Browns?
Here are some of the key offseason dates:
Jan 27: East-West Shrine Bowl, Frisco, TexasJan. 31: Senior Bowl, Mobile, Ala.Feb. 23-March 2: NFL combine, IndianapolisMarch 9: Free-agency negotiation period opens, noonMarch 11: League year begins, 4 p.m.March 29-April 1: NFL annual meetings, PhoenixApril 6: Teams with new head coaches can start offseason programApril 20: Teams with returning head coaches can start offseason programApril 23-25: NFL draft, PittsburghMay TBA: OTAs beginJune TBA: Mandatory minicampBrowns draft picks
They have the following picks:
1st round1st round (from Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025 draft-day trade)2nd round3rd round4th round5th round5th round (from Las Vegas Raiders in 2025 Kenny Pickett trade)5th round (from Cincinnati Bengals in 2025 Joe Flacco trade)6th round (from Chicago Bears in 2025 Joe Tryon-Shoynka trade)7th round (from Seattle Seahawks in 2024 Nick Harris trade)Browns free agents
The following Browns players will be free agents in 2026:
Unrestricted free agents
Joel Bitonio, GWyatt Teller, GDavid Njoku, TECam Robinson, TJack Conklin, TEthan Pocic, CDevin Bush, LBTeven Jenkins, GShelby Harris, DTCorey Bojorquez, PJerome Ford, RBDeAndre Carter, WRJerome Baker, LBRayshawn Jenkins, SMartin Emerson Jr., CBCameron Thomas, DETrayveon Williams, RBTre Avery, CBD’Angelo Ross, CB
Restricted free agents
Sam Webb, CBBlake Whiteheart, TESam Kamara, DTMohamoud Diabate, LBRonnie Hickman, S
Exclusive rights free agents
Winston Reid, LBAnthony Kendall, CBBrenden Bates, TEJamari Thrash, WRMalachi Corley, WRRex Sunahara, LSAndre Szmyt, KKingsley Eguakun, C
Street free agent
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ