Browns, even after loss to Seahawks, need to be aggressive at trade deadline

SEATTLE — The Browns lost to the Seahawks on Sunday, 24-20, and it was a game they gave away. The result doesn’t change what we saw for most of the 60 minutes, however, and that’s a team that has enough to make the playoffs and make a run — if they can get their starting quarterback back.

It’s why, prior to Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline, they need to explore all of their options to add to a team still capable of doing big things.

The Browns have reached this point in the season at 4-3. They’ve done it with their star running back lost for the season in Week 2 and Deshaun Watson playing one quarter in their last four games. They managed to stay afloat with P.J. Walker starting twice and playing most of a third game.

The NFL generally isn’t like other sports where a move at the deadline can dramatically change the fortunes of a team. But reinforcements are always welcome as a team tries to navigate a long season. GM Andrew Berry might not have the Day 1 picks to throw around for a deal, but that’s not the type of deal they need to make. He can leverage the picks he has on Days 2 and 3 of future drafts to pry away a good player from a team going the opposite direction.

Free of any of the outside circumstances, this is a start to the season the Browns would have gladly signed up for with a manageable slate of games in the second half.

If they’re able to get Watson back on the field before they play back-to-back division games in Baltimore and at home against Pittsburgh, they could have a chance to do something special after Thanksgiving.

That’s when the real playoff race starts in the NFL. You remember in 2020 when the Browns got hot after Thanksgiving and ran their way into the postseason and a win over Pittsburgh. That same year, the Buccaneers did the same and won a Super Bowl.

The Browns aren’t in need of a Rams-style, F-them-picks flurry over the next two days — they have enough top-end talent to drive the engine of a real run to the postseason, but it wouldn’t hurt to add to the fringes.

A little help at wide receiver would be welcome, given rookie Cedric Tillman has struggled to get on the field and Marquise Goodwin has started slowly.

It’s not exciting, but the offensive line could use a little depth.

Pierre Strong Jr. showed enough on Sunday to deserve more looks, but the running back room is one more injury away from having some real questions.

Maybe you can cross backup quarterback off the list, because P.J. Walker, with a full week of preparation, at least showed he’s capable and Kevin Stefanski called a nice game for him with the knowledge he would be his starter all week.

The Browns don’t need to make the league’s headline move before Tuesday’s deadline, but there’s something real here and they need to do everything they can to seize the moment.

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