Copyright Athlon Sports
If given the opportunity, former Pro Bowl running back/receiver Eric Metcalf wants to help save the Cleveland Browns. Metcalf, who played for the Browns from 1989 to 1994, took to Twitter/X on Monday afternoon and made it clear that he wants to rejoin his former team in a front-office role. The post came less than 24 hours after the Browns’ 27-20 loss to the New York Jets. Not only did the Browns drop their fifth game in their last six tries, but they also allowed two special teams touchdowns within 36 seconds. Jets running back Kene Nwangwu took a kickoff 99 yards to the house after the Browns scored a first-quarter touchdown. After Cleveland went three-and-out on its next drive, Jets receiver Isaiah Williams scored on a 74-yard punt return. Cleveland became the first team since 1950 to lose a game in which it held an opponent to 175 yards of offense or fewer and didn’t commit a turnover. We’ll see whether the Browns call Metcalf, the No. 13 pick in 1989, for his insight on how to turn things around. Metcalf rushed for 2,229 yards and 11 touchdowns in 88 games (46 starts) with the Browns. Cleveland also used him as a receiver, and he turned 297 catches into 2,732 yards and another 15 scores. Metcalf’s greatest success came on special teams, and he earned first-team All-Pro honors in 1993 after scoring two punt-return touchdowns. The organization named him a “Cleveland Browns Legend” in 2008. What’s Next for the Browns After Losing to the Jets? If the Browns hire Metcalf, he’d join an organization potentially headed for another rebuild. At 2-7, the Browns are almost assured of missing the playoffs yet again. NFL Media gives Cleveland less than a 1% chance to reach the postseason, and the team is only two losses away from a fourth losing season in five years. The Browns are 5-21 since the start of 2024, though there have been no credible reports regarding head coach Kevin Stefanski’s job security. Stefanski has led Cleveland to two postseason appearances since taking over in 2020, and he is the only coach to guide the modern Browns (1999-present) to multiple playoff berths. Stefanski told reporters after Sunday’s loss that the Browns will stick with rookie Dillon Gabriel for next Sunday’s AFC North clash with the 4-5 Baltimore Ravens. Barring an unexpected change of plans, fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders will remain the backup. Sanders, a standout at Jackson State and Colorado, has not played an NFL snap. Gabriel finished 17-of-32 for 167 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday afternoon. However, the Jets’ defense sacked him six times, and he missed on several throws. A glance at Metcalf’s mentions shows a fanbase ready to see him return to Cleveland. Various users tagged the Browns’ official X/Twitter account, writing some form of “make it happen,” while others questioned owner Jimmy Haslam’s leadership. “I wish they would hire football people,” read one reply. “People who care about winning culture and making the changes to get to that. Players who played for the team would be awesome!” Added another: “You have always been their biggest advocate. Would be a damn good fit. Would need [an] extra moving truck for your hat collection.”
