Coming into the 2021 season, the Cleveland Browns were a common pick to compete for the AFC Championship and be a true contender for a potential Super Bowl championship. Having finished 7-9 and in third place in the AFC North, the season with deep playoff expectations was anything but that.

Inconsistency on both sides of the ball, injuries to quarterback Baker Mayfield among others, and controversy with the wide receivers was the perfect storm for the disappointing season that was the 2021 campaign.

3. Browns' quarterback situation needs a final decision

Baker Mayfield powered his way through 2021 with a laundry list of injuries, most notably a torn labrum in his shoulder suffered in week two against the Houston Texans. While most fans would attribute his poor 2021 campaign to those injuries, Mayfield's consistency issues were hard to ignore. Mayfield would throw for career lows in touchdowns, yards and completions while adding 13 interceptions to his resume. A large chunk of Browns faithful would like to see “6” back in the huddle in 2022, however, the many options that will be presenting themselves this offseason could offer Cleveland an immediate upgrade at the position.

While the “pie in the sky” acquisition of Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, or DeShaun Watson seems unlikely, a few options remain that would raise the floor at the quarterback position in Cleveland. Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo do not provide much to gain in terms of their ceiling but are the most notable names being thrown around in terms of more likely candidates. The possibility of drafting a quarterback with the 13th overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft is also in play, with quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Matt Corral likely sliding to that part of the first round.

Whatever the decision is, it needs to be made sooner rather than later to offer closure and a path forward for not only the Browns but for Baker Mayfield as well.

2. Ink cornerback Denzel Ward to a blockbuster extension

One of the things that have plagued the Browns since their return in 1999 has been the lack of a true shutdown cornerback. Denzel Ward has provided that and then some in his four years of service for Cleveland.

While injuries have been a concern over his first four years in Cleveland, Ward's 2021 campaign gave fans a reason to disregard his frequent training room visits. Entering the Browns Week 13 bye week, Ward was the highest-rated cornerback in single coverage according to Pro Football Focus and allowed the second-lowest passer rating when targeted at 58.5. Simply put, if the Browns want to entice other franchise-changing talents to join the cause now and in the future, inking one of their own to a mega-deal would certainly look good when pitching coming to Cleveland to some of the NFL's elite talent.

1. Wide Receiver room makeover

The controversy that plagued the Browns wide receiver room over the course of the 2021 season has been well documented. Los Angeles Rams and now Super Bowl champion wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was released after his father posted a video to social media blaming quarterback Baker Mayfield for his son's poor start to the season, and Jarvis Landry was on and off of the injury report for a large portion of the season.

If the Browns are to solidify themselves as a contender, a complete overhaul of the wide receiver room could be in the cards. Jarvis Landry could be on the shortlist of cap casualties at a $16.6 million cap hit for the 2022 season, Rashard Higgins is an unrestricted free agent, and Odell is getting fitted for his Super Bowl ring in LA. Fan-favorite Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz have been great role players in the passing game, but lack true No. 1 wideout talent.

The Browns could potentially go after a number of highly sought-after free agent wide receivers such as Mike Williams, Chris Godwin, or Michael Gallup, all of which have had career seasons in recent memory. Should they pass on adding through free agency, a trade for a player such as Atlanta Falcons wideout Calvin Ridley or drafting one of the standouts in this year's deep wide receiver pool could give Baker Mayfield, or whoever is at quarterback in Cleveland, their top target heading into the 2022 campaign.