Early on, the 2023 season seemed to have disaster written all over it for the Cleveland Browns.
They lost star running back Nick Chubb to a season-ending knee injury in Week 2, and not too long afterward, quarterback Deshaun Watson was lost for the year due to a shoulder injury.
But somehow, the Browns finished with an 11-6 record and made the playoffs, and they managed to do so largely thanks to their defense.
Defensive end Myles Garrett had an excellent season, and he was not only named the Defensive Player of the Year, but Pro Football Focus also named him its best player for the 2023 campaign.
Myles Garrett in 2023:
– 93.9 PFF grade
– 27.5% Pass Rush Win Rate
– DPOY 🏆No. 1 on PFF’s 101 best players from the 2023 season pic.twitter.com/VUdI7ZjG6J
— PFF (@PFF) March 9, 2024
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was named the regular-season MVP, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey won the Offensive Player of the Year award and Patrick Mahomes is still considered the best all-around player, but Garrett beat all three out in the eyes of Pro Football Focus.
Garrett posted 14.0 sacks, 30 quarterback hits, and 17 tackles for loss while also being named to the Pro Bowl for the fifth time and the All-Pro First-Team for the third time.
He was the biggest reason Cleveland was tops in the NFL in total yards allowed and first downs allowed.
The team seemed to forge an identity as one that mucks up the game and wins with defense, which was refreshing for its long-suffering fans.
If Chubb and Watson return to their previous levels of production in 2024, perhaps the Browns will end up doing some real damage in the playoffs.
NEXT:
Analyst Says Browns Could Trade Key Defender