Tag: Kevin Stefanski

Will 2024 mark the start of a Deshaun Watson redemption arc?

What are the odds of a Watson rebound in 2024?

In March of 2022, the Cleveland Browns sent first-round picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as a third-rounder in 2023, plus fourth-rounders in ’22 and 2024, to the Houston Texans in exchange for quarterback Deshaun Watson and a ’24 sixth-round pick. After two seasons, this checks in as one of the worst trades in NFL history from Cleveland’s perspective. Will things finally get better in 2024? Let’s take an early peek.

During his two years in a Browns uniform, Watson has appeared in 12 games. He served an 11-game suspension in 2022, and he missed 11 games last year due to a shoulder injury that required surgery to correct. He has been a limited participant in offseason workouts, but the expectation is he will be ready to go in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Cleveland has made some notable changes since the last time Watson took the field. Perhaps the biggest one is the hiring of new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, who worked with Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen during his tenure as the OC. Dorsey was named the quarterbacks coach when Allen was in his second season, and he helped shepherd his ascent to stardom before eventually taking over as the play caller in 2022.

On the field, the Browns acquired wide receiver Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos, ironically parting ways with the sixth-round selection they picked up from Houston in the Watson deal (along with a fifth-round choice). That gives Cleveland a top three of Jeudy (54-758-2 last year), Amari Cooper (72-1,250-5), and Elijah Moore (59-640-2) at receiver to go along with tight end David Njoku (81-882-6), who finally took a major step statistically last year.

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Health and contract issues could play a part in how effective Cleveland is offensively in 2024. In addition to Watson, who still isn’t throwing every day as he works his way back from shoulder surgery, running back Nick Chubb (knee) faces an uncertain future after suffering a gruesome knee injury last year. On the money side, Cooper didn’t take part in the offseason program as he enters the final year of his contract.

All those changes should lead to a more aggressive, pass-oriented offense under Dorsey, which could breathe some life into Watson, who last posted a meaningful statistical season back in 2020 — he threw for 4,823 yards, 33 TDs, and seven INTs while rushing for 444 yards and three TDs.

Fantasy football outlook

The numbers that Watson put up in 2020 bordered on elite, and it shows what he is capable of … or at least what he was capable of. Three full seasons have passed since then, during which he’s played in a dozen games with 2,217 yards passing, 14 TDs, and nine INTs.

At this stage, the veteran needs to be viewed as a borderline top-20 quarterback on draft day, though his dual-threat potential makes him one of the more intriguing backup options.

Browns Kevin Stefanski praises off-season improvement of WR Cedric Tillman

Tillman has put the work in this off-season

Third-round pick Cedric Tillman’s rookie year didn’t go according to plan for the Cleveland Browns. He struggled to adjust to the changes in the NFL. He wasn’t asked to run a diverse route tree at Tennessee, which showed as he struggled, especially on choice routes.

But it is hard to argue his talent if he can get the playbook down. He has some nice physical gifts that you can’t teach. His size and athleticism combo is impressive, and he could grow into a solid number two on this team.

In a recent ESPN article from Daniel Oyefusi, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski praised Tillman’s work and the improvement he has seen as a result.

“I don’t believe Ced missed a day of the offseason program… He was here every single day. I know he got better because of that. And I think he got better in the weight room, got better in the meeting room, definitely got better on the grass.”

Tillman will be in a crowded room but will be leaned on if there are any injuries at the position and it sounds like he is moving in the right direction to be ready if called on.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski shrugs off Myles Garrett injury scare

No cause for alarm after an apparent hamstring injury

Cleveland Browns fans received a bit of a scare on Thursday during the team’s final practice of mandatory minicamp after superstar defensive end Myles Garrett pulled up with a tweaked hamstring. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year sat out the rest of practice, but it seems that was just out of caution.

During his media availability afterward, head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked about Garrett and responded, “he will be fine, yeah.” That will ease the minds of Browns fans with the team’s best defensive player out of the woods injury-wise with offseason workouts over.

The team is now on break until training camp at the Greenbrier, which kicks off next month. The dates have yet to be made official.

For now, overall, the Browns avoided any significant injuries during the offseason workout activities and can focus on prepping for training camp on the most anticipated Browns season in recent memory, which kicks off against the Cowboys.

Poll: Can the Browns win a Super Bowl with Stefanski and Berry?

Will this group lead the team to the promise land?

This past week was a big one for the Cleveland Browns, as they extended head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry. Since the team returned in 1999, there hasn’t been a regime deserving of extensions until this group came to town in 2020.

With the amount of adversity this regime has had over the four seasons it is rather remarkable the success they have been able to have. Pair that with most of the time they have gotten below-average quarterback play, and it just shows how good this coach and general manager combo actually is.

But now that they have established themselves as a good regular-season team, they have to take the next step and have more success in the playoffs. A 1-2 playoff record isn’t terrible but they have to get deeper in the playoffs this year to continue the journey to a Super Bowl.

So, do you believe that the Cleveland Browns will one day win a Super Bowl with Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry?

Browns Podcast: The culture change fans have desired is finally in place

Cleveland finally has stability in place

For the first time in what feels like forever, the Cleveland Browns have extended their head coach and general manager duo. Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry have done what a ton have tried and been unable to do; they have built a winning culture that is set up for sustained success.

This all started during the 2020 season, which brought on a level of adversity that the league had never seen. This regime didn’t blink, instead turning a six-win team into an 11-win playoff team. Cleveland accomplished this with no real off-season workouts and no preseason. They just hit the ground running and won football games.

It also seems likely that the two are no longer completely tied to the success of Deshaun Watson after what they showed last season with all the injuries and adversity they overcame. You can hear more about the changes that these extensions represent by checking out our latest episode by clicking here.

GM Andrew Berry, head coach Kevin Stefanski sign extensions with Browns

GM Andrew Berry, head coach Kevin Stefanski sign extensions with #Browns:

The Cleveland Browns are keeping their front office in place for the first time since their return in 1999.

The team has announced that general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski have been signed to contract extensions:

Browns ownership released this statement via the team’s website following the announcement:

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry leading the Cleveland Browns,” principal owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said. “Since the day they were hired, each has worked tirelessly to help the Cleveland Browns win.

“We are proud of what they and the team have achieved, but Kevin and Andrew would be the first to say that Browns fans deserve even more. Their leadership, collaborative approach, and ability to overcome obstacles bode well for the future of this franchise.”

Stefanski and Berry were both hired in the early portions of the 2020 offseason. Stefanski has the most wins (37) and highest winning percentage (.552) of any Cleveland head coach since the franchise’s return.

The length of the extensions have yet to be announced.

Stefanski’s reaction can be found below:

 

Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam release statements on the extensions of Andrew Berry, Kevin Stefanski

Ownership has heaped praise onto the duo.

Following the contract extensions of head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry by the Cleveland Browns, owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam put out a statement.

Praising the job this regime has done in the four seasons since they took the reins in Cleveland, the ownership group had this to say:

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry leading the Cleveland Browns… Since the day they were hired, each has worked tirelessly to help the Cleveland Browns win. We are proud of what they and the team have achieved, but Kevin and Andrew would be the first to say that Browns fans deserve even more. Their leadership, collaborative approach, and ability to overcome obstacles bode well for the future of this franchise… Last season was a prime example… Despite facing multiple player injuries and using five different starting quarterbacks, Andrew and his staff built a roster that adapted well, while Kevin and his staff led the team to its second playoff appearance in four years, earning Coach of the Year honors for the second time in that period. They are two of the brightest people we know, and selfless people who only care about what is best for the Cleveland Browns. We are thrilled that Kevin and Andrew will remain with the team for the future.”

The Browns are 37-30 with two 11-win seasons and playoff berths under the duo of Stefanski and Berry in their four seasons. The Browns finally have continuity.

Browns ink GM Andrew Berry and HC Kevin Stefanski to contract extensions

The leadership brass in Cleveland is not going anywhere.

For the first time since the return of the franchise in 1999, the Cleveland Browns have continuity. After two playoff appearances and two 11-win seasons in their first four years, the Browns have extended the contracts of general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski.

On the extension, owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam had this to say:

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry leading the Cleveland Browns… Since the day they were hired, each has worked tirelessly to help the Cleveland Browns win. We are proud of what they and the team have achieved, but Kevin and Andrew would be the first to say that Browns fans deserve even more. Their leadership, collaborative approach, and ability to overcome obstacles bode well for the future of this franchise.”

Stefanski is a two-time NFL Coach of the Year award winner in his time with the Browns, while Berry has added young talent to the roster like linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, cornerback Martin Emerson Jr., and offensive tackle Dawand Jones despite a lack of first round picks over the last three years.

Here is to more continued success in Cleveland under the leadership of Berry and Stefanski!

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski says Deshaun Watson ‘looks like himself throwing

Watson’s rehab is going well according to Stefanski

With OTAs kicking off this week for the Cleveland Browns, fans got some good news when quarterback Deshaun Watson took the field on Tuesday. From the videos the team released of Tuesday’s practice, Watson looked to be throwing normally without any restrictions or issues with his throwing motion. He even got some praise from head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Stefanski spoke with the media after the team’s Wednesday practice and talked about Watson’s recovery and plan for the future.

“He looked like himself to me. I’ve been able to watch him the last couple of weeks in Phase Two, so I’ve seen him throw. He’s making great progress. We will continue to just follow the medical team on this, but he looked like himself.”

Watson’s recovery from November shoulder surgery will continue to be the biggest storyline until the regular season begins. But for now, everything seems to be on track for training camp and, eventually, the 2024 regular season.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski expects great atmosphere in season-opener vs. Cowboys

The Browns head coach expects a great crowd to open 2024

For the second straight season, the Cleveland Browns will open their season at home in front of the Dawg Pound. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski released a statement after the team’s announcement that it would kick off the season against the Dallas Cowboys in Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Stefanski described last year’s home opener crowd as “electric” and expects the same from the fans this year. Browns fans are some of the best in the NFL, and they always show up for the team, even during the years they didn’t win very many games.

Cleveland’s head coach talked about how the team feeds off the crowd and the home-field advantage that they provide. This year could be one of the most anticipated Browns seasons since the return after 11 wins and a playoff appearance in 2023.

The Browns went a long time without winning a season opener or a home opener, but they have a chance to win three straight season openers and two at home if they beat Dallas to kick off the 2024 season.