After their 27-10 loss to the Chargers in Week 9, the Browns enter their Week 10 bye with a 2-7 record.
Players will be in the building on Monday and Tuesday before taking the rest of the week off. They will return next week to prepare for their Week 11 road game against the Saints.
S Rodney McLeod Jr. said that the bye week gives players chances to rest their bodies, recover from any lingering injuries and spend time with their families. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the first nine games of the season with a focus on improving going forward.
"We know this isn't the first half that we all envisioned, but let's take a time out," McLeod said on Monday. "Let's take a breath. Let's recalibrate and let's come back ready to make this push forward in these last eight. But at the end of the day, you just take it one day at a time."
The Browns have eight games remaining in the 2024 season following their bye week, including four division games – two against the Steelers and one each against the Bengals and Ravens.
"With those eight games, there's a lot for us to accomplish and there's a lot of hope there," McLeod said. "I believe we have the right men in the locker room that believe in one another. And I think that's what's most important – as long as we believe and understand that we are guaranteed eight opportunities, and we have to make the decision on how we want those eight games to go."
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said that he would use the bye week to self-scout the team through the season's first nine weeks, evaluating what the team can improve on in all three phases.
Play-by-play action shots from the Cleveland Browns' Week 8 NFL game vs. the Los Angeles Chargers
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94), Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93), and Linebacker Devin Bush (30) before a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) and Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) before a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) before a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) before a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) before a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) before a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) and Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) before a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) and Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) and Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) and Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) and Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offense during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) and Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns offense has struggled this season to efficiently move the ball downfield, averaging 274.4 yards per game, the second fewest in the NFL. They average 16.4 points per game, the fifth fewest in the league, and scored just three points against the Chargers until the final minute of the game – when they scored their first touchdown of the day.
The defense has been stout at times but has had difficulty containing explosive plays. They have allowed 36 running plays of 10 or more yards this season, the fourth-most in the NFL, and 33 passing plays for 20 or more yards, the third-most in the NFL. Against the Chargers, they allowed two touchdowns on passing plays for 20 or more yards and another touchdown on a 16-yard rush from RB J.K. Dobbins.
Special teams miscues have also hurt the Browns at times this season. The Browns are the only team in the NFL that has allowed touchdowns on both a punt and kickoff return this season. The Chargers' first touchdown of the day came after the Browns punt unit allowed a 53-yard return.
"We need to play better on offense, on defense, on special teams," Stefanski said on Monday. "And [the bye] gives you the ability to zoom out for a minute and see what those maybe big adjustments are, small adjustments are that can help you do a better job in all three of those areas."
Eliminating errors on both sides of the ball will be critical in correcting the mistakes that have led the Browns to this point in the season.
Only two teams, the Seahawks and Jets, average more penalties per game than the Browns' 7.9 this season. The Browns have struggled on third down, completing just under 29 percent of third down attempts, the worst rate in the league, and have the third-worst turnover differential in the NFL at minus seven.
McLeod emphasized that the adjustments needed to correct those negative trends were not major structural changes, but locking in on the small details that can quickly turn a positive play into a negative one.
"It's really just doing simple better at this point in time. And then we talk about being a smart, tough, accountable, resilient team and all those things have to show face but the way that we do it is we just attack everything one day at a time," McLeod said. "When you're coming down this stretch and playing in November, December, like those things matter. Those very, very simple and minute points of emphasis that we talk about, they have a great effect on the game."
Before that stretch begins, the Browns will have a chance to take a step back from the practice field and spend time resting and preparing for the second half of the season.
"[The bye week is] needed and knowing again we can come back more recharged and all better versions of ourselves," McLeod said. "And, of course, do some reflecting and figure out how, over the course of the second half of the season, we can all make better contributions."
