The tenor of the Cleveland Browns season was changed with less than two minutes remaining in their Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets. They looked like shoo-ins to be heading into Thursday Night Football against their AFC North rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, with a 2-0 record.
Leading by 13 after the two minutes warning, the Browns suffered an epic collapse. They wound up losing the game 31-30 as everything the Jets needed to break their way for the improbable come-from-behind win occurred.
Now 1-1 heading into Week 3, the Browns held a player’s only meeting this week already. This is a big game against the Steelers as the AFC North looks more open than people thought it would be coming into the season.
Even if Cleveland wins that game, they should be looking at ways to upgrade this roster for the long haul. They have a few needs and one of the biggest ones is finding more pass-rushing help.
Teams can never have enough pass rushers and beyond Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, the Browns are lacking. They were hopeful that Chase Winovich would be a solid third option, but he leaves something to be desired when pushed into a bigger role, which will occur with Clowney sidelined.
Needing an impact pass rusher, the Browns should get out ahead of the market and make a call to the Chicago Bears about Robert Quinn. Chicago is rebuilding with a new regime in place led by general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus. They have shown they are willing to move veterans for draft compensation, as they traded Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason.
If the Browns offered a Day 2 pick, starting with a third-rounder, that could get the Bears to the negotiating table. Quinn showed last season that he can still be a premier pass rusher in this league, registering 18.5.
Playing off of Garrett and Clowney, Quinn could feast against opposing offensive lines as the third pass rusher. He would be a sizable upgrade on Winovich and since he is under contract beyond this season, he provides insurance in case Clowney departs after signing a one-year deal as a free agent.
