For now, all eyes will be on how quickly this newly assembled group can become the consistent, dominant force that Garrett envisions.
Myles Garrett is never one to shy away from setting high expectations, and the Cleveland Browns’ star defensive end
has made it clear that he’s aiming for nothing less than greatness for his team in 2023. After back-to-back 16-sack
seasons, Garrett is confident that under the leadership of new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, the Browns’
defense has the potential to become a unit that strikes fear into opponents for years to come.
“We can make this a group that can be feared because we’re going to be here for a long time. We’re going to be
consistently good for a long time,” Garrett said when speaking to reporters, exuding the kind of leadership and
determination that has made him one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players.
While Garrett’s confidence is admirable—and his production speaks for itself—the reality is that the Browns are still
in the process of building a truly elite defense. Yes, they’ve added some key pieces, but there are still significant
question marks about how quickly this revamped unit can gel.
The 2023 Defensive Overhaul: New Faces, New Expectations.
The biggest addition to the Browns’ defensive front this offseason has been the signing of veteran free agents Dalvin
Tomlinson and Obo Okoronkwo. Tomlinson, a stout defensive tackle, brings a much-needed presence to the middle
of the line, while Okoronkwo adds depth and pass-rushing potential from the edge. Together, they should provide a
more formidable supporting cast for Garrett, helping to alleviate some of the pressure that has been placed on him as
the only true game-wrecking force on the line in recent years.
In 2022, Garrett posted another eye-popping sack total, but the rest of the Browns’ defensive line was relatively
quiet. In fact, no player not named Garrett had more than three sacks on the season. With Tomlinson and
Okoronkwo now in the fold, the hope is that they can both provide consistent pressure on the quarterback, giving
Garrett the kind of reinforcements that he has long deserved.
However, adding new starters to the defensive line is only half the battle. It often takes time for any new unit to click,
especially when multiple players are adjusting to a new system. While Tomlinson and Okoronkwo bring experience
and talent, there’s no guarantee that the defense will immediately hit the ground running, even with the addition of
Schwartz as the new defensive coordinator.
The Reality of Building a Fearsome Defense.
Garrett’s confidence in his defense is infectious, but it’s important to temper expectations as the season kicks off.
While there’s certainly potential for this group to become one of the NFL’s top defenses, they will need time to
establish chemistry, particularly in a new system. Under Schwartz, the defensive philosophy is likely to change, and
it could take a few games for the defense to find its rhythm.
Garrett himself is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the unit, but the Browns will need contributions from the entire
defensive line to take the next step. Tomlinson and Okoronkwo can make life easier for Garrett by drawing attention
away from him and helping to generate more consistent pressure up front. However, the defense as a whole will need
to develop into a more complete unit, especially when it comes to generating turnovers and improving against the
run—two areas where the Browns have struggled in recent years.
It’s easy to see how Garrett’s optimistic outlook could inspire confidence in fans, especially after his stellar individual
performances. But while Cleveland’s defense is certainly more talented on paper than it has been in recent years,
expectations should be cautious at the start of the season.
Can the Browns Be the NFL’s Next Surprise Defense?
Despite the potential growing pains, there’s always a chance that a team could surprise the league by going from
average to elite in a single season. We’ve seen it happen before, where a defense that wasn’t expected to be a top-tier
unit suddenly clicks and becomes one of the league’s most dangerous groups. The Browns’ defense, led by Garrett
and bolstered by the additions of Tomlinson and Okoronkwo, could very well be that team in 2023.
If the Browns’ defense can develop quickly, stay healthy, and put together a consistent pass-rush rotation, they have
the talent to be a game-changer this season. And with Garrett leading the charge, there’s no doubt that opposing
quarterbacks will feel the pressure.
In the end, the Browns’ defense in 2023 may not be perfect right out of the gate, but if Garrett’s bold vision comes to
fruition, Cleveland could very well be one of the surprise stories of the season, with a defense that starts to live up to
the fearsome potential Garrett believes it holds.
