As players cleaned out their lockers, WR Cedric Tillman stood in front of his own, reviewing what had been an inconsistent year for the Browns' offense.
While the defense allowed the fourth-fewest total yards per game and the third-fewest passing yards per game in the NFL. Meanwhile, the offense ranked in the bottom six in the league in passing, rushing and total yards per game, as well as points per game. The disconnect between the two units left little margin for error and played a factor in Cleveland's losses throughout the season. The Browns ended the 2025 season with a 5-12 record.
"Just wasn't consistent enough this year as an offense, and we just have to improve on that," Tillman said. "Obviously, we didn't have the production that we wanted to, but it's the NFL. We had a lot of close games this year, so we have to become a more consistent offense."
One factor that can help Cleveland become a more consistent offense is the continued development of the rookies on the roster, many of whom contributed heavily throughout the 2025 season.
Of the Browns' 4,456 total yards this season, 83.7 percent were accounted for by rookies. Quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel registered 83.2 percent of Cleveland's 2,807 passing yards. Eight different rookies, including running backs Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson and Sanders made up 84.5 percent of the Browns' 1,649 rushing yards.
The Browns became the second team in Super Bowl history to have rookies lead in passing, rushing and receiving yards, according to the Associated Press. Sanders led the Browns with 1,400 passing yards, Judkins recorded 827 rushing yards and TE Harold Fannin Jr. notched 731 receiving yards.
"I think what's important to understand about our rookies though – and you all see them, you all know them – they're not only really good players, but they're also really good people," Browns Managing and Principal Partner Jimmy Haslam said. "They will be the cornerstone with which we'll build and grow and develop this winning team."
See the best photos as the Cleveland Browns celebrate their 20-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2025 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026 at Paycor Stadium.
Sanders achieved his 1,400 passing yards over the span of eight games. In the process, he also recorded seven touchdowns and threw 10 interceptions. He took over the starting job in Week 12 after Gabriel remained in the concussion protocol and was named the starter for the rest of the season ahead of Week 14 against the Titans.
He put together the Browns' best passing game of the season in Week 14, throwing for 364 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He led the Browns down the field twice in the final five minutes to give Cleveland a chance to win but ultimately lost 31-29. Sanders led the Browns to a 3-4 record in his seven starts, including winning the last two games of the season against the Steelers and Bengals.
"The way we ended the season was cool," Sanders said. "I think overall, like as a quarterback, I showed different pieces in different games to all add up to one complete quarterback. And that's what I had to get to in those situations – red zone situations, field goal situations, third down situations, 'where you at on the field' situations. So, it was a lot of situations that were good. I feel like this was a good learning year for me, and I'm excited for it. Because like I said, like moving forward I'll be prepared."
Finding consistency also comes down to staying healthy. Cleveland had to navigate injuries throughout the season, especially on the offensive line. The Browns used 10 different offensive line pairings throughout the season.
T Dawand Jones was the first offensive lineman to be lost for the season, suffering a Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) tear and hamstring avulsion in Week 3 against the Packers. As a result, Jones watched the Browns' remaining 14 games unfold as a spectator. However, he said what he saw from the Browns in the final two games was football they could build on for the future.
"It's where we want to be. Those last two games meant a lot to me," Jones said. "I've seen an improvement every week. The guys fight hard every day."
Amid injuries up front, G Joel Bitonio stood out as a steadying presence on the offensive line. He was the only 17-game starter among the 10 offensive line combinations. Bitonio has been one of the most consistent players for the Browns, not only being a five-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler but also missing just two regular season games since 2017.
Reflecting on his 12-year career, he said his focus was simply bringing reliability to the offensive line.
"It's hard to put into words," Bitonio said. "I just tried to give it everything. It's tough. You try and go out there and be the best version of yourself and do what you can to help the team win, and I tried to do that every day."
Building consistency remains the common thread as Cleveland looks ahead to 2026. With a young core in major roles, an offensive line searching for continuity and flashes of progress late in the season, building offensive stability will be critical for growth.
"Obviously getting more wins, going to the playoffs, we can talk about that stuff, but really we just have to focus on being consistent as an offense," Tillman said.
