Lane Dobbins, Browns WireThu, December 25, 2025 at 1:38 AM UTC·5 min readThe atmosphere inside the stadium on Sunday was a fitting metaphor for the Cleveland Browns' 2025 season: cold, gray, and ultimately forgettable.
As the clock hit triple zeroes, cementing a tight 20-23 home loss to the Buffalo Bills, the collective groan from the Dawg Pound wasn't one of shock, but of familiar resignation. At 3-12, this season has long been classified as lost. The playoff hopes were extinguished weeks ago, leaving the franchise in a peculiar limbo where Sundays are less about the final score and more about evaluating the individual pieces that will, or won’t, be part of the puzzle moving forward.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile the loss stings, especially in a game that was winnable until the final moments, the eyes of the organization must now shift firmly toward the future.
The only solace for the faithful in Cleveland right now lies in the roster evaluation of the current rookie class and the tantalizing promise of April. With a top draft pick all but secured, the front office is undoubtedly already scouting the next wave of talent. But before we turn the page completely, we must dissect what Sunday’s performance told us about the current state of the roster.
Here are five takeaways from the Browns' Week 16 loss to the Bills.
1. Shedeur Sanders Isn’t The Future
The experiment at quarterback seems to be reaching its unfortunate conclusion. Following the loss, Sanders was quoted as saying, “Nothing is promised going into next year so I stay in the moment … stay in what I have to do now to even be here next year.” It was a candid admission of his precarious standing, but candor doesn't put points on the board.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSo far, Sanders has not done the one thing required to secure a job in this league: win. While he has shown flashes of athleticism, the consistency simply isn't there, and Sunday was another example of an offense sputtering when it mattered most.
If the Browns lose out, they will lock up the second overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Given the state of the quarterback room, that pick will undoubtedly be used on a signal-caller. Whether the front office prefers the poise of Heisman Trophy Winner Fernando Mendoza or the high ceiling of Dante Moore, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Shedeur Sanders era may end before it ever truly began.
2. Mason Graham: Good At Football
If you are only looking at the box score, you are missing the dominance of Mason Graham. The stat sheet rarely captures the impact of elite interior defensive line play, but Graham’s tape tells a story of disruption and power.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to metrics from PFF and NFL Pro, Graham currently sits in the upper echelon of pressures and stops among all defensive linemen. He was a wrecking ball against Buffalo’s interior, collapsing the pocket and forcing the quarterback off his spot repeatedly.
Perhaps most importantly, his ability to eat up double teams has been the unsung catalyst behind Myles Garrett’s historic season. As Garrett chases the all-time sack record, he owes a significant portion of his freedom to the rookie doing the dirty work in the trenches. Graham is a cornerstone piece.
3. Mohamoud Diabate Has To Go
Not every development story has a happy ending. Mohamed Diabate’s journey as a Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA) who cracked the roster and played meaningful snaps was a heartwarming narrative over the past three years, but the NFL is a production business.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe lanky linebacker has unfortunately hit a wall. Despite the opportunities given to him, Diabate has not grown into his 6’4 frame as the coaching staff had hoped, often looking overpowered at the point of attack.
His play has regressed significantly as of late, with missed run fits and coverage lapses becoming too common. Sunday exposed his limitations against a physical Bills offense, and it is becoming evident that the Browns need an upgrade at this spot if they want to shore up the middle of the defense for 2026.
4. Carson Schwesinger Is Awesome
If there has to be one crown jewel in this rookie class, it is undoubtedly Carson Schwesinger.
Through 15 games, the young star has been nothing short of a revelation, racking up staggering stats with 147 total tackles, 64 of which were solo efforts. He is playing downhill with violence, registering 11 tackles for loss and adding 2.5 sacks to his resume.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSchwesinger has carried the immense responsibility of being the "green dot" player since Week 1, relaying Jim Schwartz’s complex play-calls to the rest of the defense. That is a tall task for any rookie, let alone one who started just 10 games in college. Yet, he has answered the call with the poise of a ten-year veteran.
He is the brain of this strong defense and is all but guaranteed a nod for Defensive Player of the Year honors at the season's end.
5. Myles Garrett Is Still Chasing Immortality
While the team struggles, Myles Garrett continues to carve his name into the bedrock of NFL history. Even in a loss like this, Garrett’s pursuit of the all-time sack record remains the most compelling reason to tune in every Sunday. With Mason Graham occupying blocks inside, Garrett was a terror off the edge against Buffalo, adding half a sack to his tally and inching closer to the record books.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn a season devoid of playoff hopes, Garrett’s individual brilliance serves as a reminder of the elite talent still on the roster. The front office’s mandate for the offseason is clear: they must build an offense capable of supporting a defense that features a generational talent like Garrett and rising stars like Graham and Schwesinger.
Wasting a historic defensive effort on a 3 win season is a tragedy the Browns cannot afford to repeat, yet here we are once again.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns vs. Bills: 5 takeaways from Cleveland's NFL Week 16 loss
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