Cleveland Browns have had five players who have earned the ultimate respect from their teammate in a vote. 

Deshaun Watson, Myles Garrett, Joel Bitonio, Anthony Walker Jr., and Charley Hughlett have been named team captains for the 2023 season.

As noted by their teammates, these players will daunt a ‘C’ on their uniform during the season. In terms of the players chosen, there is no real surprise, though a couple are interesting picks.

“Leadership comes in all different styles, and it comes in different shapes and sizes," Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said after Thursday's practice. "You vote for captains, and it is really important. We also have a leadership committee, and we have players represented from every position there, so you don't need that 'C' to determine that you're a leader."

Overall, it is two players from the offense and defense each, then a special teams player who was tabbed as the leader of this team.

Many folks believe that Garrett is not the leader he should be just because he’s not the loud guy in the room who is going to scream and bang his head off a teammate's helmet to get pumped for a game. That stuff is amateur and it doesn’t take a loud presence to be a leader. You can lead by example and teaching and that’s what Garrett has been since he joined the Browns. Once again, he’s been chosen as a capital, which knocks the false narrative that a lot of people have made.

This offseason, Watson made it a point for the offense to get together multiple times outside of OTAs to travel and get some work in. Team bonding is important and that was a part of the traveling to Puerto Rico. You’ll always see the quarterback as a captain for the most part, as long as it’s not a rookie, and even they can be leaders.

Bitonio is the longest tenured member of the Browns as he enters his 10th season with the team. Hughlett is right behind him entering his ninth season. Both players will be members of the team for as long as they want to be, so these were easy votes.

Since Walker joined the Browns, he’s been a leader on the defense. He’s worn the green dot at times to call the defense and he remained a leader through last season despite missing 15 games. A veteran linebacker in the middle of the defense who does things the right way is crucial.

There’s really no surprise with these five as mentioned, it’s the same dive you would expect to be named by their teammates. Just because a guy isn’t a captain, doesn’t mean they’re not a leader. A leader can come about with many different approaches. 

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Featured image via Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.