The Pittsburgh Steelers might win the battle this weekend, but the Cleveland Browns will win the war. For all of Pittsburgh’s stability compared to Cleveland’s complete absence, ESPN analyst Mina Kimes believes the Browns are the stronger organization overall. Even if it doesn’t produce a victory on Sunday.
“Long term, the Browns, because I think the team is so young and fun and talented,” Kimes said on The Golics Friday. “The talented players are great. They’ve kind of moved things in the right direction with the line. You’ve got some really good young players on defense. So I would say, you know, team-wise, organizationally, it’s the Browns.
“I’m picking the Steelers to win this week though.”
Kimes cited Pittsburgh’s ability to run the ball as reason to believe in the Steelers this weekend.
It’s not often that an analyst prefers Cleveland’s future prospects over Pittsburgh’s. Kimes’ reasoning rests largely on the ages of the two teams. The Browns have a young group bolstered by their last two strong draft classes. A 2025 edition that produced the likes of DL Mason Graham, LB Carson Schwesinger, RB Quinshon Judkins and TE Harold Fannin Jr. A 2026 rookie class including receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, left tackle Spencer Fano and S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
Pittsburgh has its own promising players, led by its offensive line and several former draft picks extended this summer: TE Darnell Washington, DL Keeanu Benton and EDGE Nick Herbig.
The quarterback outlook remains murky for both teams. Aaron Rodgers is in his senior year and Pittsburgh will need a new starter next season. That could be 2026 third-round pick Drew Allar. Cleveland got more from Deshaun Watson this year than anyone outside of this building expected, and there are even rumors that Watson could return to start in 2027. Still, he’s hardly a true franchise option.
History is on Pittsburgh’s side. Every time Cleveland found glimmers of hope – 2002, 2007, 2020 and 2023 – that light was immediately extinguished. Still, new head coach Todd Monken has worked hard to shed the “Browns is the Browns” label. A win against the Steelers this weekend, while not able to guarantee future dominance, would certainly make the franchise feel like it has turned a corner. Of course, a Pittsburgh victory would be a reminder of how much work Cleveland still has to do.
Gn sports
