CLEVELAND, Ohio — In this week’s edition of Hey, Mary Kay! I answer questions about Jerry Jeudy, Shedeur Sanders, and more. Most of the questions came from our Browns Football Insider subscribers. To become one, click the blue banner at the top of the cleveland.com/Browns page. Thanks for all the great questions!
Hey, Mary Kay:
What is the issue with Jerry Jeudy this season? — Cash, Raleigh, NC
Hey, Cash: I think Jeudy’s struggles this season are a direct result of the Browns’ 31st-ranked passing game and not the cause of it. It’s very similar to what Justin Jefferson, the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, is experiencing with the 4-8 Vikings right now. Entering the season with a 96.5-yard career per game average, Jefferson is averaging 46 yards this season.
He was so frustrated after Sunday’s 26-0 loss to the Seahawks that he declined to talk afterwards for the first time in his career. When a team has a rookie quarterback finding his way or struggling, it’s tough on the No. 1 receiver. I don’t think Jefferson or Jeudy, a 2024 Pro Bowler, have forgotten how to play football. I think they’ll both be back to peak form when their teams get good QB play.
Hey, Mary Kay:
It would be a big “feather in his cap” if Shedeur Sanders could get it going with Jerry Jeudy. What else would be great for him to achieve to show he’s the man? — Ken in Florida
Hey, Ken: I think Sanders needs to distribute the ball more to all of his primary pass-catchers, not just Jeudy. I think he needs to establish a connection with Cedric Tillman and David Njoku as well. He needs to trust those guys as much as he trusts his “Hungry Dawg” troop of young players such as Gage Larvadain and Malachi Corley. The Browns should’ve given Sanders some starting reps along the way, but he can’t use it as an excuse. He needs to trust his eyes and let it rip.
He can’t hang onto the ball as long as he did vs. the 49ers — 3.37 second which was the longest for a Browns QB in three years. If he’s going to show the Browns they don’t need to draft a quarterback high in the 2026 draft, he needs to put up a few “wow” near 300-yard passing performances, preferably with a completion percentage in the mid-60s, and multiple TDs. He still has a long way to go, but he’s made progress each week.
Hey Mary Kay:
Last year, the Patriots and the Browns had the same dismal record. This year the Patriots have one of the best records while the Browns continue to scrape the bottom of the barrel. Given that the Browns had arguably one of the best drafts in the NFL this past season, to what do you attribute the difference in the direction of these two teams. — Karloso, Plymouth, Mass.
Hey, Karloso: I attribute it primarily to the development of quarterback Drake Maye, the 2024 No. 3 overall pick, and how well he’s played this season under Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The combination has been dynamite, with Maye climbing to No. 1 in the NFL in QB rating at 111.9, and throwing 23 TD passes against only six interceptions.
Vrabel is also an amazing head coach, but any coach is only as good as his QB, and now he’s got his franchise signal-caller. With the Patriots at 11-2 this season, I believe they’ll win multiple Super Bowls in the Vrabel-Maye era. The Browns will be successful when they find their answer at quarterback, which could come in the 2026 draft if he’s not on the roster now.
Hey, Mary Kay:
Do you think that if Kevin Stefanski retains special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone that he’ll only be expediting his own departure? — Best, Kevin, Loveland, Co.
Hey, Kevin: I don’t really see the Browns firing Ventrone during the season unless the Browns give up some returns for touchdowns to Titans premier returner Chimere Dike on Sunday. Even then, they might sit tight and re-evaluate it after the offseason. But I do think the special teams must have a strong showing over the final five games for Ventrone to truly feel safe. He said Thursday that the Browns seem to recognize that he has a lot of young guys on the kicking teams and that they lost their returner, DeAndre Carter, to a knee injury in training camp. But the Browns have still surrendered too many long returns, including three for touchdowns, and special teams will get plenty of scrutiny in the offseason.
Hey, Mary Kay:
There has been a decent amount of blame placed on Andrew Berry for not adequately roster building. I don’t feel like this is warranted. One thing he can’t control is injuries. I feel like he filled quite a few holes through trades and free agency, and it’s pretty clear that he’s had the best draft of any team in the NFL this year. Every rookie has been a starter for us. Do you feel the same way? — Rick LaPaglia, Clifton Springs NY
Hey, Rick: I agree that this is the best draft class in the NFL this season, and in recent memory. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger is favored to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and running back Quinshon Judkins is a candidate to win NFL I also think it’s one of the best-ever for the Browns. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam tasked Berry with nailing this draft, and he’s done that.
What’s more, it’s not over yet. He still has the first round pick from the Jaguars draft-day trade in the 2026 draft. The draft class helps form the foundation of Super Bowl Window II under this regime, and they’ll put the finishing touches on it next season — providing they find their quarterback. That’s the key. It’s the area where the Browns fell short this season. If they had a winning quarterback, they’d be challenging for the AFC North crown right now.
Hey, Mary Kay:
My question is quarterback for next year. I know Deshaun Watson’s cap hit limits us. But with a good veteran QB (not a Joe Flacco) we could be a playoff team with the defense and plug holes on the offense. It’s ok to draft a quarterback but we are not going to win a lot of games with rookie QBs playing a majority of the games. Your thoughts? — Paul Adams, Atlanta, Ga.
Hey, Paul: I agree that the Browns can be a playoff team next year if they get good QB play to go along with their amazing defense. As mentioned above, I think the Browns could’ve remained in the playoff conversation deep into December if they had a winning QB. As for next year, they need to field a winning QB or a combination of winning QBs however they can get them, and can’t waste another season of Super Bowl-caliber defense. If they draft a rookie high and he’s ready to win early like Jayden Daniels was for the Commanders, start him and enjoy the ride.
Or if Shedeur Sanders develops enough this season to earn the starting job, bolster his supporting cast and see what he can do. Alternatively, if the Browns can find a winning bridge quarterback, even if it’s Deshaun Watson, perhaps he starts the first part of the season until a rookie or second-year player is ready. Whatever the case, the Browns must get above average QB play in 2026 to give themselves a chance.
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