If there’s any team in the NFL that could be described as “rebuilding,” it’s the Browns. They’ve won either four or five games in each of the last six seasons, and they’ve gone through a thorough shakeup of their coaching staff and front office.
But the newest addition to the Browns says they’re a “win now” team.
Andrew Hawkins, a wide receiver who officially became a member of the Browns today when Cincinnati declined to match Cleveland’s offer, told the team’s website that from everything he has seen, the Browns are serious about being winners this year, not just building for the future.
“They’re trying to win, they’re trying to win now, they’re trying to [assemble] an incredible roster and I think they’ve done great in free agency,” Hawkins said. “Not even including myself, [but] the players they’ve been able to bring in just shows where their mind’s at and I feel good about where the program is going.”
That’s clearly a message the team wants to get out. The Browns’ PR department released a statement today from General Manager Ray Farmer that listed the team’s accomplishments in free agency and added, “These acquisitions are about steadying our ship and moving Cleveland closer to competing in our division and competing for championships.”
Teams don’t usually feel the need to release statements like that from the G.M., but then again teams don’t usually have offseasons as tumultuous as the offseason the Browns have had. The Browns want their fans to know they’re serious about trying to right the ship.
