Cleveland, OH

Three Reasons Why the Cleveland Browns Have Never Made It to a Super Bowl

Published

3 weeks ago

February 8, 2026

Three Reasons Why the Cleveland Browns Have Never Made It to a Super Bowl

As the NFL gears up for their biggest party of the year, the Cleveland Browns are, once again, invited.

Along with the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans, the Browns are one of four teams to never appear in a Super Bowl, as we approach the 60th edition of the biggest game in pro football. Of course, Jags and Texans get somewhat of a pass, as they’ve played far fewer seasons.

But Cleveland, a powerhouse franchise in the 1950s and ‘60s, began to decline just as the league ushered a new era with the AFL-NFL merger, common draft and Super Bowls.

So, why have the Browns never made it to a Super Bowl? Let’s see:

Awful Ownership

Everything starts at the top.

Art Modell acquired the team in 1961. Loving the active general manager type role, he irritated legendary coach Paul Brown. A bitter rift among them involving a trade for Ernie Davis, his then-record contract and a debate over whether to play him or not after being diagnosed with leukemia led directly to Brown’s firing in 1963. Cleveland did manage to conquer its last NFL title in ‘64, the next-to-last season before The First AFL-NFL World Championship Game, now known retroactively as Super Bowl I, but so began the fall of the franchise.

Then came Modell’s stubborn stance on all-time great Jim Brown’s movie career, when he refused to let the all-world fullback miss training camp in 1966, moving him towards retirement while still in the peak of his career.

In the 1980’s, Marty Schottenheimer coached the team to three divisional titles, four postseason berths and two AFC Championship appearances in four years, before being fired by Modell because of clashes regarding the team’s staff. Schottenheimer’s successor, Bud Carson, lost a third AFC Championship Game to the Denver Broncos in four years, but was let go midway in his second season after a poor start. The team hasn’t won a division title since.

In 1994, Bill Belichick coached the team to a 11-5 record and the Browns last postseason win under Modell, but announcing midseason in ’95 that the club was leaving Cleveland for Baltimore destroyed everything.

The Browns reappeared in 1999 under new owner Al Lerner, who actually helped Modell move the previous iteration of the team out of Cleveland. After his death in 2002, his son Randy Lerner took over. Under the Lerners, the Browns made the playoffs once (2002) and recorded double-digit wins once (2007). The younger Lerner was frequently accused of disengagement, devoting most of his attention to Aston Villa, the Premier League club he also owned.

Jimmy Haslam bought the team in 2012. He carries the dubious distinction of being the owner of the 0-16 team of 2017. But perhaps, the biggest black-eye of Haslam’s tenure has been the ill-fated 2022 deal for Deshaun Watson, arguably the worst trade in the history of the league.

The Quarterback Conundrum

The team that once fielded Hall of Famer Otto Graham and NFL MVP Brian Sipe can’t catch a break. Over the last three decades, the Browns have wasted first-round draft picks on Brady Quinn, Brandon Weeden and Johnny Manziel, and whiffed on free agents like Jeff Garcia, Trent Dilfer, Jake Delhomme, Jason Campbell and Jacoby Brissett, just to name a few.

And the Watson trade? He owns a 9-10 record in four years with the franchise and the team still owes him $46 million for the upcoming season, one where he isn’t slated to start.

First-Round Follies

Don’t let the Class of 2025 fool you: the Browns have made an art of missing on draft picks, especially at the very top.

To recall names like Mike Junkin, Tommy Vardell, William Green, Trent Richardson, Barkevious Mingo, Justin Gilbert, Danny Shelton, Cam Erving and Corey Coleman is an exercise of self-inflicted pain.

Nobody expects every first-rounder to become a Joe Thomas or Myles Garrett, but these are supposed to be foundational pieces, and a second contract is the very least you expect for such a heavy investment.

When the Browns are not throwing away picks like those three 22nd overall passers listed above or the three first rounders paid for Watson, the team has been more likely than not wasting valuable draft capital on players shipped out before their rookie contracts expire instead of helping for the long-term.

There’s no cheaper way to build a contender than through the draft, but failing constantly becomes quite expensive. And the misses have multiplied exponentially in the last 30 years.

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Published

7 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.

Eastern Conference rivals close their regular-season series on Sunday, as the Brooklyn Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center.

The Cavaliers (37–24, 4th East) have dropped back-to-back games without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, albeit against far superior competition. They’ll aim for the three-game sweep of Brooklyn without Mitchell, while Harden remains questionable.

The Nets (15–44, 14th East) are mired in a brutal seven-game losing streak, including a 112–84 thumping in Cleveland on February 19.

Here’s a look at the Injury Report:

Cleveland Cavaliers

Out: Donovan Mitchell (Groin), Max Strus (Foot), Dean Wade (Ankle)
Questionable: James Harden (Thumb), Keon Ellis (Finger)

Brooklyn Nets

Out: Egor Demin (Heel), Drake Powell (G-League Assignment)
Questionable: Nic Claxton (Thumb)

Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Cleveland enters as a hefty 11.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Brooklyn sits as a +410 underdog. The game’s total is set at 222.5 points.

Cavaliers vs. Nets Preview

Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

The Cavaliers went all in at the NBA trade deadline, sending Darius Garland to Los Angeles for superstar guard James Harden. The gamble seemingly paid off, as the former MVP has fit seamlessly into the lineup alongside Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 6–1 after Harden’s debut, its lone loss coming against the defending champs in Oklahoma City.

But the momentum quickly stalled when both Harden and Mitchell hit the sidelines to nurse injuries. Cleveland has dropped back-to-back games in the star duo’s absence against Milwaukee and Detroit. And while Harden is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest with a thumb fracture in his non-shooting hand, Mitchell remains out with a groin strain.

The Cavs are just 2–4 without Mitchell this season. If Harden stays out, they’ll likely keep relying on their accomplished frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland also features a solid veteran backup point guard in Dennis Schroder, along with a reliable sharpshooter in Sam Merrill.

Brooklyn Nets Preview

Brooklyn has won five games in 2026. Five.

Were any of these wins particularly impressive? Hardly. They beat a Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets, the spiraling Chicago Bulls twice, the lowly Washington Wizards, and the tanking Utah Jazz.

The Nets rank dead last on both ends of the floor since January 1, disappointing even by their standards. They’ve lost seven games in a row, punctuated by a 37-point walloping in Boston on Friday night.

Michael Porter Jr. will continue trying to carry an increasingly strained offense without rookie standout Egor Demin. Brooklyn will also lean on its burgeoning frontcourt, comprising Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton (questionable).

Cavaliers vs. Nets Pick, Best Bet

Keep an eye on the injury report for this one. If Harden remains sidelined, Cleveland may lack the offensive firepower to pull away. But if the former MVP suits up, expect him and the Cavs to carve up Brooklyn’s porous defense and comfortably cover the 11.5-point spread.

Best Bet: Cleveland Cavaliers -11.5 (-110)

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Cleveland, OH

14-year-old girl shot on Cleveland’s East Side

Published

19 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

14-year-old girl shot on Cleveland’s East Side

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 14-year-old girl is in critical condition after being shot at a home Friday.

Police said around 7:15 p.m., officers from the Fifth District got a call for someone shot in the 1400 block of Lakeview Road.

When officers got on scene, a 14-year-old girl was found suffering from a gunshot wound.

Cleveland EMS took her to a nearby hospital, where she is listed in critical condition

A gun was recovered at the scene.

The incident remains under active investigation.

Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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Cleveland, OH

Sokolowski’s University Inn co-owner dies

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Sokolowski’s University Inn co-owner dies

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Former co-owner of the legendary Cleveland restaurant Sokolowski’s University Inn has died.

Michael Sokolowski(WOIO)

65-year-old Michael Sokolowski passed away on Tuesday, according to his obituary.

Established in Tremont in 1923, Sokolowski’s University Inn was Cleveland’s oldest family-owned and operated restaurant. It was a recipient of the prestigious James Beard “American Classics” Award in 2014. It closed it doors for good in 2020.

Read Obit below

MICHAEL PAUL SOKOLOWSKI, age 65; passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026. Beloved husband of Patricia (nee McCue); loving father of George McDougall (Erika) and Sara; grandfather of Nicole and Emerson; Son of the late Bernard Sr. and Marion (nee Szwejkowski); dear brother of Bernard Jr. (Mary) and Mary Lou Balbier (Ronald); loving brother-in-law, uncle and dear friend of many. Mike was the co-owner of Sokolowski’s University Inn, a Cleveland landmark restaurant since 1923 and a James Beard Award winner. He played baseball and football for Cleveland Central Catholic and graduated from Otterbein University. Michael was a member of the Greater Cleveland Umpire Association, officiating many Cleveland Indians Fantasy Camps. He loved cooking and taught classes at the Polaris Career Center for their community culinary arts program. Mike loved music, attending many concerts, and playing drums in bands and for his parish church masses. Former President of the Cleveland Society of Poles and a member of the Knights of Columbus Trinity Council. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Cleveland Central Catholic High School, 6550 Baxter Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105.

Mass of Christian burial at St. John Cantius Catholic Church, 906 College Ave, Cleveland, Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 12 noon. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Family and friends received at the church, Saturday from 10 a.m.-12 noon.

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