The Cleveland Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski, despite a league-worst output, have decided to stick it out with quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Many have thought ownership decided this, pressuring the head coach to make their $230 million investment work. However, Cleveland dot com’s Mary Kay Cabot has reported this may not be the case. In her latest Q&A, Cabot answers a question asking whether or not there is pressure from ownership to stick with Watson:
“No, Jimmy Haslam isn’t forcing Kevin Stefanski to play Deshaun Watson with the Browns at 1-4 and playoff hopes slipping away. Kevin Stefanski discusses big personnel decisions with GM Andrew Berry, the same way most NFL coaches do with their GMs. He also talks things over with Haslam and keeps him apprised on such monumental decisions. But the Browns would never force Stefanski to play someone that he didn’t want to play.”
Cabot then confirms what has already been reported over the last two and a half years since the trade as well: Haslam signed off on the trade, but it was general manager Andrew Berry who was at the forefront of the decision. He and Stefanski were in lockstep on that call.
With Watson struggling, how much longer will we see him under center for the Browns if it is truly Stefanski’s call? Could we see Jameis Winston against the Philadelphia Eagles if his struggles continue?