Full Breakdown
Browns debut historic, all-new offensive line as Deshaun Watson returns
By Drooid · · How we work
The unprecedented O-line overhaul
The Cleveland Browns will start five offensive linemen who did not start for the team the previous season, marking the first time in franchise history—dating back to its 1946 inaugural campaign—that the entire starting front five is new. Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, only three non-expansion clubs have opened a season with five brand-new starters on the line; the Browns become the fourth. The overhaul is being tested in the season-opening road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Background and context
Quarterback Deshaun Watson has not played a regular-season snap in nearly 23 months after rupturing his right Achilles tendon in October 2024 and undergoing a second surgery in January 2025. His health and mobility are now tied to the protection the revamped line can provide.
The previous offensive line featured long-time starters such as center Joel Bitonio (retired June 2026) and right guard Wyatt Teller (departed for the Texans). Their departures left the Browns with a clean slate to rebuild. General manager Andrew Berry has cited the 2025 Chicago Bears as a model for Cleveland’s approach.
Key personnel
- Spencer Fano – left tackle, ninth overall pick, 2025 Outland Trophy winner.
- Zion Johnson – left guard, free-agent signing after four seasons with the Chargers.
- Elgton Jenkins – center, former Packers guard/tackle turned center in 2025.
- Austin Barber – right guard, third-round rookie, promoted after Teven Jenkins suffered a back injury.
- Tytus Howard – right tackle, acquired via trade for a 2026 fifth-round pick; started all 93 games for the Texans.
Data and statistics
- Watson’s 2024 season: 1-6 record as starter, 63.4 % completion rate, 1,148 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.
- Forecast for the Jacksonville venue calls for a high of 92 °F with a “real feel” near 105 °F, conditions that could tax the line’s stamina.
Official statements & responses
Head coach Todd Monken said the two rookie linemen have earned the right to start based on daily practice performance, adding that he has seen no reason to doubt their ability to play “really, really well and confidently.”
General manager Andrew Berry described the overhaul as a deliberate “O-line snob” strategy, emphasizing that continuity and cohesion will be the ultimate test of the plan.
Verbatim quotes
- “Just the way they’ve practiced, just what I’ve seen every day.” — Todd Monken, Browns head coach
- “I feel every day I’m getting a little better.” — Spencer Fano, rookie left tackle
Why it matters
Protecting Watson is critical; his Achilles recovery limits his ability to escape pressure, making line performance a decisive factor in the Browns’ offensive viability. The historic nature of the overhaul also places Cleveland under a spotlight that could influence future roster-building philosophies league-wide.
Conflicting reports & gaps
Sources agree on the composition of the starting line and Watson’s injury timeline. No published projections quantify how the new line will affect Watson’s durability or the team’s win-loss outlook, leaving performance expectations largely speculative.
What’s next
The Browns’ revamped line will debut in the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, followed by a road contest at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a potential home start versus the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. The outcomes of these early games will indicate whether the historic O-line experiment can sustain Watson’s health and the Browns’ competitive aspirations.
