The Cleveland Browns were one of the NFL's feel-good stories of the year in 2023, as aged quarterback Joe Flacco rallied the team to four late-season wins amid a rash of injuries at football's most important position.
The 2024 Browns could not be more different. Quarterback Deshaun Watson, playing on what is widely regarded one of the worst contracts in the history of sports, has fallen far short of even the most modest expectations. Accordingly, Cleveland is 1-5 and reeling.
Need evidence of the Browns' offensive futility? Look no further than a statistic tweeted Tuesday by ESPN college football writer (and ex-Cleveland beat writer) Jake Trotter.
"With the trade of Amari Cooper, backup safety Rodney McLeod is the only Browns player, including offense, to score more than one TD this season," Trotter wrote.
With the trade of Amari Cooper, backup safety Rodney McLeod is the only Browns player, including offense, to score more than one TD this season.
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) October 15, 2024
Trotter's tweet is both true and damning, as Cleveland has just nine touchdowns to its name this season. Only the New England Patriots (eight) and Miami Dolphins (five) have fewer.
The Browns, who have shown virtually no indication that they will right the ship anytime soon, are scheduled to play the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as One Extraordinary Stat on Browns' Offense Emerges As Amari Cooper Departs for Bills.
