CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The chances that the Browns will end the league’s longest playoff drought in 2020 increased significantly Sunday morning.
The ratification by the players of a new collective bargaining agreement paves the way for the NFL to expand the playoff field this season from 12 to 14 teams.
Under the new format, only the top seed in each conference will receive a bye and an additional game will be added to each conference on wild card weekend.
The last time the Browns made the playoffs was the 2002 season that saw them go 9-7 and lose a wild card game to the Steelers, 36-33 on Jan. 5, 2003.
Under the new playoff format, only the 2007 Browns that finished 10-6 would've qualified over the last 17 years for the postseason.
The new labor deal will run through 2030.
