Tag: Kevin Stefanski

Kevin Stefanski acknowledges tough Steelers pass rusher expected to return

The Steelers are expecting Alex Highsmith back and the Browns are prepared for him

Ahead of their Week 14 showdown in Pittsburgh against the Steelers, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged the challenge of containing Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith.

Here is what the head coach had to say on Highsmith:

“He’s outstanding. Having gone against him a bunch of these years. He’s terrific as a pass rusher, plays the run hard, great effort. So, we have our work cut out for us for sure.”

In his career against the Browns, Highsmith has recorded 35 solo tackles, eight sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. Highsmith has missed the last three games with an ankle injury, including Pittsburgh’s loss to the Browns, but he is expected to return to action in Week 14.

Alongside perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate T.J. Watt, Highsmith has been instrumental in winning one-on-one pass-rush matchups, making it harder for teams to focus solely on Watt. In Highsmith’s absence, Nick Herbig has stepped up, leading the team in pass rush win rate.

Slowing down Pittsburgh’s deep and talented group of pass rushers will be a top priority for Cleveland’s offense in Week 14.

Kevin Stefanski praises former sixth-round receiver after season debut

The Browns’ head coach had high praise for his former sixth round pick

With receiver Cedric Tillman missing Week 13 against the Denver Broncos due to a concussion, former sixth-round pick and wide receiver Michael Woods II had his first opportunity of the season to showcase his skills for the Cleveland Browns.

Woods, who appeared in 10 games during his rookie year in 2022 for the Browns with just five catches, missed all of last season due to a torn Achilles. After contributing 43 yards while playing 77 percent of the offensive snaps, head coach Kevin Stefanski praised Woods for his strong performance off the practice squad.

“Well, Mike is a guy that we’ve always trusted. He’s played for us in games before and performed well. He’s been, unfortunately, unlucky with some injuries over the course of his career, but is healthy, knows what to do. We move him around in different spots. He has a good rapport with Jameis (Winston), with them having had a lot of reps together throughout the spring and summer. But I thought he did a nice job in that game. Did his job, caught the ball when it came to him.”

With Tillman still on the mend, the Browns might rely on Woods again in this one against the Steelers.

What Kevin Stefanski had to say about Steelers WR George Pickens

The head coach has high praise for the Steelers young playmaker

The Cleveland Browns held wide receiver George Pickens to 48 yards on just four catches when they played the Pittsburgh Steelers two weeks ago, but head coach Kevin Stefanski isn’t sleeping any lighter figuring out ways to contain him.

On the season, Pickens has racked up 850 receiving yards and three touchdowns, but his production started to uptick when Russell Wilson took over under center for the Steelers. As long as the Steelers can keep him collected on the sideline, Pickens is a threat and a gold-star player for every opposing team to identify.

Stefanski is working through that this week with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Asked about what Pickens brings to the table, Stefanski had high praise for the young receiver:

“Having faced him a bunch of times now, last few years, he’s a challenge in the past game like you mentioned. He’s a contested catch player where he’s always open. The quarterback always feels like he’s open. He can throw it into coverage and they feel like he’s going to come down with the ball. They’ve expanded his routes and where he’s running them, how he’s running them throughout this offense this season. So he’s a very big challenge. You have to understand where he is at all times.”

The Browns will need the struggling Martin Emerson Jr. back on his A-game against the Steelers as the bigger-bodied cornerback will need to stick with the bigger-bodied receiver. The Browns were able to limit Pickens the last time out. Can they do it again?

Kevin Stefanski addresses F-bomb laden ‘Hard Knocks’ segment

Stefanski talked a bit about the viral “Hard Knocks” scene

The new AFC North “Hard Knocks” aired this week, putting Cleveland Browns assistant offensive line coach Roy Istvan under the spotlight in Tuesday’s episode. Head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke on the viral moment.

In the episode, we get an inside look at the offensive line room, the assistant offensive line coach can be seen getting passionate while discussing protecting quarterback Jameis Winston. Also in the room, Istvan addresses the quarterback directly as well, giving him instructions on how to help the offensive line out.

Within the interaction, however, Istvan did let a great deal of F-bombs fly. Stefanski was asked about it during his media availability:

“Well, first of all, as it relates to Hard Knocks, nothing staged. I think we’re just — you’re coaching and what they pick up, they pick up. Roy does a great job in our meetings and each one of our coaches has a different area that they present to the players and sometimes you get excitable.”

You already know that a regime that loves to be as tight-lipped as possible does not love having cameras in their building. However, they seem to be taking it in stride, and the assistant offensive line coach Istvan has already gained some fans.

Another report indicates the job security of Kevin Stefanski, Andrew Berry

All signs point to no turnover in Berea this year.

The job security of Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry continues to be a hot topic.

However, last week ESPN insider Adam Schefter indicated that their seats were cold. Now, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer has reported a similar stance in his most recent mailbag.

Answering a question about the job security of the current regime in Berea, Breer gave a definitive take that aligns with what Schefter had to say last week:

“…the plan is to stick with Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski, who were just extended into 2025. The Haslams have sought the right model since buying the team in ’12. They feel like they’ve found it. I agree with their stance internally, that one season of horrific circumstances shouldn’t incite panic and total upheaval.”

Whether you like it or not, Berry and Stefanski are here to stay beyond the 2024 season. Beyond 2025, however? They’ll need to kick it back into gear after an offseason of reloading.

NFL insider gives near certain revelation on Kevin Stefanski’s job security

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said a firing of Kevin Stefanski is “not happening”

The Cleveland Browns are suffering through a rough 2-8 season, but the job security of head coach Kevin Stefanski does not appear to be in jeopardy.

Getting set to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on a short week, that is all Stefanski has to worry about. ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter quickly shut the door on any chance that Stefanski would be fired just a few months after inking a new contract extension. Here is what Schefter had to say:

“There’s a lot of people making noise about Kevin Stefanski being on the hot seat and I don’t quite understand it … my understanding is they’re not doing anything right now despite all the noise about the Browns potentially making a coaching change. Not happening.”

Stefanski, less than one year removed from being named the NFL Coach of the Year for the second time, has once again been forced to battle through multiple injuries at key positions. However, it seems like any quarterback who is not the one they paid $230 million for gets the job done in his offense.

If more of the same happens the rest of the way out with Jameis Winston under center, Stefanski has not only enough leverage to cool off his seat substantially but advocate for a new quarterback as well.

No need to fire up the coaching list, Browns fans. Kevin Stefanski isn’t going anywhere.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski speaks on Jedrick Wills’ ‘business decision’

The Browns have had a PR fire to put out after left tackle Jedrick Wills admitted to making a “business decision.” Here is what the head coach had to say on it.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski took the podium to answer some questions on Wednesday afternoon and among these questions was whether he met with offensive tackle Jedrick Wills about his “business decision” to not play in their Week 9 contest.

When asked about the comment, Kevin Stefanski said that he spoke with the offensive tackle and it won’t negatively impact his chances of playing again this season.

“It was a poor choice of words and he understands that,” said the Browns head coach when asked about the comment. Since his absence, Wills has been replaced at left tackle by second-year offensive tackle Dawand Jones. While the current tackle situation has been an improvement compared to earlier in the season, many fans can’t help but think about his consistently solid performances in previous years.

Unless Jones starts to struggle significantly, Jedrick Wills will likely remain on the bench for now, as he would have even before the comment was made.

Browns name their starting QB for Week 11 vs. Saints

Jameis Winston will get to start against his former team in Week 11. The former Saints QB is going to lead the Browns out of the tunnel at the Caesars Superdome:

Jameis Winston will get to start against his former team in Week 11. The former New Orleans Saints quarterback is going to lead the Cleveland Browns out of the tunnel next Sunday at the Caesars Superdome. Winston stepped into the lineup after injuries sidelined Deshaun Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and he hasn’t looked back.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Monday that Winston will remain the team’s starter coming out of their bye week, which means Winston has an opportunity to beat the last team he suited up for. Winston spent the last four years of his career with New Orleans, but he’s played against the Saints before. He started five seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So what was his record against the black and gold?

Winston went 3-9 against the Saints during his time with Tampa Bay, throwing nearly as many interceptions (10) as touchdowns (11) and taking 24 sacks. He’s grown a lot since then but  remains a volatile passer with 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in just two starts with the Browns.

So we’ll see if he can take advantage of a banged-up Saints secondary to make some plays on Sunday. Winston made a lot of friends in the New Orleans locker room during his four years with the team, but when they kick off this week it’ll be all-business between thee whistles.

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NFL insider comments on the job security of the current Browns regime

The current regime is not in any danger according to Albert Breer.

The job security of Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry appear safe.

The Browns’ rough start to 2024 doesn’t appear to have shaken owner Jimmy Haslam’s thoughts on what to do with the future of his front office.

Despite receiving long-term extensions this past offseason, many in the Browns fanbase are eager to see one of the two fired for their decision to trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson. Albert Breer, a senior NFL reporter, commented on the Browns’ general manager and head coach’s outlook on 92.3 The Fan’s Afternoon Drive:

“They have made the playoffs two of the four seasons under this current model, and the quarterback decision might not be on Kevin and Andrew as much as it was an organizational decision”.

Breer cites Jimmy Haslam’s vote of confidence in letting Berry lead the Browns before the NFL trade deadline as justification for his support of the team’s head coach and general manager. If the Browns continue to do well after the quarterback change, there are very minimal reasons to see Berry or Stefanski lose their jobs.

Kevin Stefanski announces huge change to the offense

The Browns will have a new play-caller against the Ravens

The Cleveland Browns will have a new play-caller in Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens as Kevin Stefanski is turning the wheel over to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Stefanski told the media his big decision. In the presser, Stefanski stated that he relies heavily on Dorsey during gameday already, and this felt like the right thing to do as the Browns sit at 1-6 on the season.

Dorsey, who has called plays with the Buffalo Bills, has seen significant highs and lows doing so. One thing is for sure: new quarterback Jameis Winston is not going to be afraid to sling it, and Dorsey loves to dial up shots down the field.

At this point, the season is over. Why not take this opportunity to evaluate Dorsey as well as the 53 players on the roster? If Stefanski’s job were at risk, he would not be putting his security into the hands of another person.

We’ll see if this sparks something in Cleveland with a new quarterback and now a new play-caller.