CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 11: Offensive tackle Chris Hubbard #74 of the Cleveland Browns blocks defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
What lies ahead for a franchise that put an end to lot of losing in 2020?
It was a banner year for a franchise that had won only 101 games the previous 21 seasons and reached the playoffs only once. Under first-time NFL head coach Kevin Stefanski, the Cleveland Browns finished 11-5, earned a playoff berth for the first time since 2002 and won a playoff game for the first time since 1994.
Expectations will be even greater in 2021 as the team will look to win a division title for the first time since 1989. And keep in mind that this is one of only four franchises still waiting to play a game on Super Sunday.
With the 2021 fiscal year rapidly approaching (see Spotrac), all 32 clubs will have to make some difficult and surprising decisions.
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Chris Hubbard
T Cleveland Browns
He was a free agent addition via different regime by the organization. Versatile Offensive lineman Chris Hubbard was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers for four years before inking a five-year, $36.5 million deal with the Browns (via Spotrac) in 2018. During his stay in Cleveland, he started all 16 games in his first year with the club and 13 contests in ’19. After taking a pay cut last offseason, he was a spot starter this past season but also suffered a knee injury in the club’s Sunday night win over the Giants in Week 15. All told, his future with the team could be in jeopardy.