Destiny, defined as a predetermined course of events, or a predetermined fate. Destiny and fate both suggest that the future has been decided or planned by God, or by some godlike power. Destiny often suggests a future that includes something great and important. Something as important as, say… a Super Bowl victory? 

The Browns pre-season hype and hopes brought with it expectations of playing in January. Getting to the playoffs was a bare-minimum requirement to serve as a barometer for success. But, most set that bar further above a mere ticket to the post season. They wanted a deep run. They wanted a legitimate shot at hoisting the coveted Lombardi trophy. After all, with a revived defense, potent offense lead by Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb, and arguably the league’s best offensive line, why wouldn’t one expect to hang with the top teams in the AFC? As long as they stayed relatively healthy, competitive and sometimes dominate football would ensue. Relatively healthy…huh, that’s cute. The Cleveland curse wouldn’t allow such a thing.

The injury bug bit the very first week of the 2023 campaign, with Jack Conklin tearing knee ligaments, sending him to season-ending IR. Then the dam gave way. Nick Chubb was lost for the year in week number two, from a questionably low hit provided by Steelers safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Browns injury reports looked like a baseball lineup on a week-to-week basis, seeing a smattering of starters listed in question. Deshaun Watson, Juan Thornhill, Greg Newsome, Joel Bitonio, and many others, were added and subtracted from the all-injury team on multiple occasions. Ultimately the Browns would end up losing more than 25% of their salary cap due to injury. Jedrick Wills, Maurice hurst, Grant Delpit, the promising rookie Dewand Jones, and yes, starting QB Deshaun Watson, all ended up on season-ending IR. Despite the major injuries, Cleveland was still sitting at a 6-3 record by the time Watson was placed on IR, but now they were down to rookie, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and XFL quarterback, P.J. Walker, as their only options at quarterback. Or were they?

The Bowns knew they needed help at quarterback if they were to finish the season in a position to see January football. So, Andrew Berry did the most logical thing he could have, he picked up the phone and called…Joe Flacco. You know, the guy who was sitting on his couch binge watching Netflix series. The guy that no team called, even though we’ve seen record-high quarterback injuries league-wide. The guy that punished the Browns for a decade while with the Baltimore Ravens. To be fair, the pickin’s were slim. Flacco flew in on a Friday for a tryout, then flew home the same day without a deal. So, Cleveland turned to DTR for the week 11 matchup against division rival Steelers. The rookie QB played a less-than-mediocre game, albeit in a win. It was evident that growing with a rookie was not the move. Not with the hopes of the franchise. Going back to P.J. wasn’t going to return much different results from the ones they were getting with DTR. What was Berry to do? Well, sign Flacco to the practice squad, of course! So, just two days after the Pittsburgh game Flacco flew in and signed to Cleveland’s practice squad.

It was too soon for Flacco to be ready to face the Broncos, who were the Browns next opponent. He needed a bit more time to acclimate himself in the Stefanski system, and to get to know his teammates. The Cheetos cheese powder was still fresh on his fingertips. That left DTR in line to make his second consecutive start. This week, though, would end in a loss for the playoff-hopeful browns, after another less-than-mediocre outing from the rookie. Now with a 7-4 record, Cleveland was still holding on to a wildcard slot, but the margin of error was getting smaller by the week. AFC wildcard hopefuls were starting to heat up and close the gaps. Cleveland could be in trouble.

Then, Flacco Mania took hold. Ok, his first outing didn’t yield a win, but it fostered the necessary hope to forge ahead. Fans across the country saw the potential of Joe Cool in the Kubiak disciple’s system. It looked to be a match made in heaven, and… It was. Flacco and Stefanski proceeded to reel off three straight wins. All with Joe slinging the ball at a historic pace. His clam persona brought with it an air of confidence that permeated throughout the locker room. The run game slowed…no problem, we have Joe. He embodied the very essence it is to be a Clevelander. Hard work and selfless commitment. What a sight. Everyone was buying in. Offensive skill positions found a revival in production. A shot of life in the arm to this Browns offense.

 This all came together on a magical Thursday night with a win over the New York Jets. It was an exciting clinching of, at a minimum, the 5th seed in the AFC playoff standings. Amazingly, the Browns were still in a position to compete for the division title AND the number one seed in the AFC playoffs. Help was needed, but there was a chance, at least until the Ravens handled business at home against Miami yesterday. Nonetheless, this team proved they are a force to be reckoned with, as one of three teams still in contention for that coveted 1 seed going into week 17.

Behind COY (again) candidate Stefanski, DPOY candidate Myles Garrett and Comeback player of the year potential Cool Joe Flacco, the Browns have built a tale worth telling. Ultimately, we don’t know how this Cinderella story ends. Is a fizzle out in round one of the second season? Is the fan base of Cleveland destined for more misery? Or, is this the prelude to a grander culmination?

I do believe we are destined for something. Something that will echo through the fabric of space-time. Something that will burn itself into the history books of the NFL. We have paid our dues and now it’s time for us to shine. Now is the time for our story to be written. 

Now is the time for our team of destiny.