The Cleveland Browns offense has been and will probably be an enormous dialog going into the 2023 season. GM Andrew Berry spent the offseason including weapons within the pass-catching sport whereas ignoring the operating again room regardless of dropping D’Ernest Johnson and, doubtless, Kareem Hunt.

WRs Elijah Moore, Marquise Goodwin and Cedric Tillman ought to add dynamic playmakers at a number of ranges whereas TE Jordan Akins provides a productive expertise that QB Deshaun Watson has expertise with.

Regardless of all of that, RB Nick Chubb is essentially the most constant, finest weapon on Cleveland’s offense.

How HC Kevin Stefanski makes use of Chubb has been a little bit of consternation for Browns followers. Some merely say he must be run extra typically. Others have issues with when Chubb was off the sector throughout necessary performs. Nonetheless, others felt that his rushes have been principally predictable.

Whereas we don’t have any knowledge about what number of touches Chubb ought to have or when he ought to get relaxation, the predictability of his dashing makes an attempt clearly appear to be an issue.

First, Stefanski referred to as run performs on extra first downs than all however six groups, none of which made the playoffs. The info, organized by first-down passes, made it fairly clear to defenses {that a} run was doubtless approaching that down:

(If it doesn’t develop in your browser, Cleveland tried a go on 506% of their first downs with Tennessee, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Carolina, Chicago and Washington the one groups to go much less/run extra on first down.)

How predictable was it? The second set of knowledge proves that time:

Whereas restricted to first-half runs on first down, the info clearly exhibits that Stefanski calling runs commonly restricted the operating backs’ means to select up good yardage. Merely, Cleveland’s offense was going through second and good distance too typically early in video games.

The quantity of early-down runs and the dearth of turnover-worthy passes lends credence to a really protected offensive plan in 2022.

In 2023, the hope is {that a} extra various offensive strategy will put the group ready to achieve success. Whereas Chubb could not get as many carries early, how he’s used could also be extra necessary than how typically he’s used. Attending to see the group’s lead again out of pistol and shotgun might create a whole lot of operating lanes in 2023 with all these added weapons on the surface.

Chubb was very productive final yr from these formations:

We’re simply a few weeks away from getting an opportunity to see the brand new Stefanski offense in motion throughout coaching camp. We will solely hope that a number of extra throws on first downs make it extra profitable once they do run the ball on these downs.