What To Watch For In Cleveland Browns vs. Green Bay Packers

The Browns are set to square off with the Packers in their first preseason game. Here are three things to keep your eyes out for.
Dec 17, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) runs with the ball after a catch as Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) defends during the second half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) runs with the ball after a catch as Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) defends during the second half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns and Packers lock horns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Saturday afternoon to kickoff the 2024 offseason in Cleveland. Both teams have high expectations after both getting to the playoffs in 2023 while having their sights set on bigger and better accomplishments.

The Packers just signed Jordan Love to a long-term, massive money contract, making him their quarterback of the future. They have supplemented their offensive attack with homegrown weapons at wide receiver and running back trying to replicate what they once had with Aaron Rodgers.

On Cleveland's side, the story is a little bit different. The roster is Super Bowl-ready from top to bottom with one question remaining: the quarterback. The truth of the matter is that no matter who is on the roster, it's all for nothing if Deshaun Watson doesn't return to what he once was.

On Saturday, you will see more from Green Bay than you will from Cleveland. Here are three things to look out for for Browns fans:

1. Who is going to take that 5th Wide Receiver spot?

The Browns have a log jam at their fifth wide receiver slot. Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, and Cedric Tillman have the top four spots locked up, leaving room for just one more player. Will David Bell be the answer? Will Jamari Thrash make enough noise? What about Matt Landers - does he have enough to make the team? Saturday will be the first test for these guys.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell (18) catches a pass in the third quarter during a Week 18 NFL football game between
Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell (18) catches a pass in the third quarter during a Week 18 NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. / Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

2. What does Ken Dorsey's Offense look like?

It won't be the full complement on offense, but we will get a taste of Ken Dorsey's offensive philosophy and we will get it with Jameis Winston pulling the trigger. The Browns' passing attack is going to look significantly different in 2024 thanks to Dorsey, and Saturday will be our first taste of it.

Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) participates in quarterback drills with Tyler Huntley during minicamp, Tuesday, June 11
Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) participates in quarterback drills with Tyler Huntley during minicamp, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Berea. / Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK

3. Get used to the new kickoff

The new kickoff is finally here for the Browns. It's going to look odd and uncomfortable at first, but the Browns are positioning themselves to make the most of the new rules. You won't see much new on Saturday, but you and the Browns can start thinking about how the team will use it in 2024.

The preseason is underway in Cleveland! Keep your eye on these three things while the Browns and Packers go to battle on Saturday.


Published
Anthony Moeglin

ANTHONY MOEGLIN

Anthony Moeglin is a northeast Ohio native, who most notably quarterbacked John Carroll University to the NCAA DIII National Semifinals in 2016 after beating the No. 1 team in the country twice in a 4-week stretch. He contributes written and video/podcast content for Browns Digest, as well as serving as the lead football analyst for BuckeyesNow on the FanNation network.