As the Browns wrapped up the preseason with their matchup against Seattle, they mixed in a handful of starters for the first two drives before putting in a number of backups and young players for the remainder of the game.
The Browns dropped their third preseason game to the Seahawks 37-33, but head coach Kevin Stefanski saw moments of effort and growth.
"Obviously didn't win the game there, but pleased with the effort," Stefanski said. "Guys were flying around, which we were excited to watch, and they did. Fought to the end there."
Here are three main takeaways from the final preseason game.
Decision to not play Deshaun Watson and the performance of QB room
Watson was ruled out prior to the game, and Stefanski said because Watson has played in the preseason before – as well as a combination of other players not playing – it was the best decision to rest Watson. However, Stefanski said he "feels great" about Watson's arm and confirmed that he will practice in full in the coming week.
"With Deshaun, with considerations to the guys who were out on offense – not just the offensive line – but just didn't feel like it would be best to put him out there in this setting," Stefanski said. "Very confident in the amount of work he's gotten to date throughout the spring and summer, and he'll be ready to roll Week 1."
QB Jameis Winston earned the start and led the Browns' first two offensive drives before Dorian Thompson Robinson took over and Tyler Huntley closed out the game. Stefanski said Winston operated well in running the offense and had a few solid throws down the field, as well as some explosive plays.
Stefanski also saw a number of solid moments from Thompson-Robinson in how he ran the offense at the end of the first quarter and throughout the second quarter. Thompson-Robinson finished the game completing 11-of-20 passing attempts for 115 yards and one touchdown.
"Obviously, a really nice play on that thrown down to Jamari Thrash, taking a hit as he threw it," Stefanski said. "So performed well. And again, this goes back to Dorian has done a nice job the second he got cleared, which was back in June, finally getting back out there. And he's done a nice job since."
In the second half of the game, Huntley connected with pass catchers three different times in the end zone, once to WR James Proche II on a six-yard pass and twice with WR Michael Woods II on consecutive offensive drives.
"Snoop's (Huntley) played a lot of good football for us, a lot of good football in his career," Stefanski said. "He's a playmaker. You saw it. It was on display tonight when things aren't there, he finds a way to make a play, so I thought he did a really nice job."
Check out the best photos from the Browns game against the Seahawks Saturday by the Browns photo team
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 25, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 25, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Cornerback Justin Hardee Sr. (28) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) and Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Tight end Treyton Welch (82) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
The defensive backs before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Wide receiver Ahmarean Brown (87) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Running back Aidan Robbins (49) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (96) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 25, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Fullback/Center Nick Harris (53) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Safety Chris Edmonds (41) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 25, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Running back Aidan Robbins (49) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 25, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Explosive plays on both sides of the ball
The preseason finale featured a number of explosive plays sprinkled throughout the entirety of the game.
The Seahawks found holes in the Browns defense and punt return coverage, especially in the first half, in which they took advantage of to build an early lead. QB Geno Smith connected on two deep passes on Seattle's opening offensive drive, with the second leading to a 21-yard touchdown pass to WR DK Metcalf. In the second quarter, RB Kenny McIntosh found a hole in the defensive line and ran for 56 yards and a touchdown for Seattle.
Then, as P Corey Bojorquez punted the ball for 42 yards, Seahawks WR Dee Eskridge returned the punt for 79 yards and a touchdown – Seattle's third of the game.
The Browns had their own explosive plays as Thompson-Robinson connected with WR Jamari Thrash on a 46-yard pass in the end zone for the Browns' first touchdown of the game. In the final two minutes of the third quarter, Huntley connected with WR Jaelon Darden on a 37-yard pass that would set the Browns up for a touchdown at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Dustin Hopkins' first game of the preseason
K Dustin Hopkins took the field for his first game of the preseason against the Seahawks.
Early in the second quarter after the Browns drove down the field, Hopkins hit a 37-yard field goal to put the Browns' first points on the board. Hopkins also kicked off following his field goal.
"He wanted to get at least one kick in there," Stefanski said.
