Tag: Kevin Stefanski

Dec 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Kevin Stefanski to call Browns’ offensive plays in 2025

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Thursday that he will resume calling the offensive plays in 2025.

Stefanski relinquished play-calling duties to then-offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey after a 1-6 start this season.

He made the announcement during an introductory press conference for new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.

“I’m going to call plays, and I reserve the right to change my mind,” said Stefanski, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year.

Last week, the Browns promoted Rees from tight ends coach and pass game specialist to the OC role.

“Tommy has an incredible football mind,” Stefanski said last week. “He is extremely bright and has been around the game his entire life.”

Dorsey was fired on Jan. 5 after the Browns finished last in points scored (258) during a 3-14 season.

The Browns’ offense, hampered by rotating quarterbacks and another season-ending injury to running back Nick Chubb, mustered only an NFL-worst 15.2 points per game.

Stefanski settled the play-caller question, but the signal-caller situation still looms large entering an offseason that includes holding the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Deshaun Watson is coming off a second Achilles surgery and has two years remaining on a five-year, $230 million contract. He carries cap hits of $72.9 million in 2025 and 2026. He could miss most, if not all, of the upcoming season.

Among other quarterbacks on the roster, only Dorian Thompson-Robinson is under contract for 2025. Jameis Winston is an unrestricted free agent, and Bailey Zappe is a restricted free agent.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) throws the ball during warm ups before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Browns undecided about QB heading into finale vs. Ravens

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The revolving door at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns could continue Sunday, with coach Kevin Stefanski saying both Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe are preparing to play against the Baltimore Ravens in the season finale.

Stefanski told reporters Tuesday that he was undecided as to who would start.

“There’s certainly a chance that I could play Bailey and Dorian in this game,” Stefanski said. “Jameis [Winston] is still working through that shoulder injury. So, I envision him being the emergency quarterback in this game. And then there’s potential to play both guys.”

The Browns (3-13) started the campaign with Deshaun Watson at quarterback, turning to Winston after Watson’s season-ending Achilles tear in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 20. Winston then started seven games and Thompson-Robinson the past two, both losses.

In six appearances this season, the 25-year-old Thompson-Robinson is 59-of-115 passing (51.3 percent) for 427 yards with no touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s been sacked seven times.

Zappe, 25, was signed off the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad after the Watson injury. He appeared in 14 career games with the New England Patriots over the past two seasons, going 4-4 as a starter. In his career, he is a 63.2 percent passer, throwing for 2,053 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

The Browns have used 39 different starting quarterbacks since 1999.

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throws a pass during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Flacco is Browns’ starting QB, coach announces

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Quarterback Joe Flacco’s second straight strong showing for the Cleveland Browns is all that coach Kevin Stefanski needed to see before declaring Flacco the starter for the remainder of the season.

The 38-year-old Flacco, who has played only a handful of games per season since 2020 and hasn’t played a full season since 2017, threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday as the Browns edged the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-27.

On Dec. 3, Flacco completed 23 of 44 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. He has been intercepted once each week.

Flacco took over when Watson’s backup, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, was sidelined by concussion symptoms Nov. 26 against the Denver Broncos.

Now in his 16th season, Flacco, the MVP of the Super Bowl for the Baltimore Ravens following the 2012 season, went unsigned until the Browns came calling when Deshaun Watson was lost for the season with a shoulder injury.

“Joe’s been in big games. So (I) feel comfortable with him leading the football team,” Stefanski said in announcing his decision.

Including Sunday’s game, Flacco is 20th on the NFL’s all-time passing yards list with 42,574.

Cleveland (8-5) is in the thick of the AFC wild-card race after making the postseason just once since 2002.

After 11 seasons with the Ravens, Flacco played in eight games in 2019 for the Broncos and in 12 games over the last three years for the New York Jets. In 184 games (181 starts), Flacco has 234 touchdown passes and 148 interceptions while completing 61.5 percent of his passes.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) talks with head coach Kevin Stefanski during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Browns coach on Baker Mayfield: ‘That’s a unique situation’

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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke about his two high-profile quarterbacks on Wednesday, albeit with only one is in attendance at the team’s voluntary offseason program.

Stefanski addressed the elephant in the room as it relates to Baker Mayfield, who is not at the Browns’ facility in Berea, Ohio.

“I’d tell you that’s a unique situation. It’s fluid. And we’ll just continue to work through it as we go each day,” Stefanski said. “It’s a voluntary program. What we won’t do is we won’t say who’s here, who’s not here. It’s voluntary. The guys that show up, we’re excited that they’re here. We’re excited to work with them.”

Mayfield, 27, was expected to be absent as he continues to rehab his surgically repaired labrum in his left non-throwing shoulder.

Mayfield, however, recently said on the “Ya Neva Know” podcast that he felt “disrespected 100 percent” by the Browns after the team deposed him as starting quarterback in favor of Deshaun Watson. Cleveland surrendered significant draft capital that included three first-round picks to acquire Watson in a trade with the Houston Texans on March 18.

Stefanski declined to address Mayfield’s comments on Wednesday, however.

“I’m not going to get into the specifics of those types of things,” Stefanski said. “Again, it really is a unique situation and we’ll just work through it.”

As for Watson, Stefanski said he is being embraced by his new teammates so far.

“We’re in Day 2 of the offseason program, so it’s like any player on your team that is new that it takes time to develop relationships,” Stefanski said. “And I think now is that time.”

Watson, 26, didn’t play the 2021 season for the Texans. He demanded a trade, then faced civil lawsuits from 22 women who accused him of sexual misconduct. Prosecutors in Texas declined to file charges, but the civil suits are ongoing.

–Field Level Media

Nov 15, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) talks with head coach Kevin Stefanski during the two-minute warning during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Browns hope Baker Mayfield situation ‘resolved soon’

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With new quarterback Deshaun Watson signed, the Cleveland Browns hope to cut ties with predecessor Baker Mayfield shortly.

That’s what head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday at the NFL’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.

“I think everyone understands the situation, and we’re hoping that it is resolved soon,” Stefanski said.

The Browns used the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft on Mayfield and picked up his fifth-year option at $18.86 million last April. The size of his guaranteed contract could be holding up a trade.

After a subpar 2021 season, in which Mayfield attempted to play through shoulder, heel, knee and groin injuries, the Browns engineered a blockbuster trade for Watson, which included sending three first-round draft picks to Houston.

They already signed Jacoby Brissett to back up Watson.

“It’s a unique situation,” Stefanski said. “We’ve got to see how it plays out. I think of all of us would love an answer yesterday, but that’s not the reality of it.”

The 26-year-old Mayfield is 29-30 as a starter with a 61.6 percent completion percentage, 14,125 yards and 92 touchdowns to go with 56 interceptions.

Mayfield had 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions with 3,563 yards in 2020, and totaled 17 touchdowns with 13 interceptions and 3,010 yards in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Nov 14, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski watches a play against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski clears protocols

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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski cleared COVID-19 protocols and rejoined the team for practice Wednesday.

Stefanski tested positive last week and missed Monday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer took over as acting head coach in a 16-14 loss.

Cleveland (7-7) has a short week before visiting the Green Bay Packers (11-3) on Saturday afternoon.

In addition to getting Stefanski back, the Browns activated tight end Austin Hooper and linebacker Jacob Phillips off the reserve/COVID-19 list. Hooper has 33 catches for 291 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games this season, and Phillips has three tackles in one game.

Cleveland placed rookie cornerback Greg Newsome on the COVID list. The first-round pick has 26 tackles and seven passes defensed in 10 games (nine starts).

The Browns also waived punter Jamie Gillan from the reserve/COVID-19 list and restored wideout JoJo Natson back to the practice squad after he was forced to miss time because of COVID.

Gillan averaged 43.9 yards per punt in 12 games this season but the Browns will stick with veteran Dustin Colquitt, who has averaged 42.4 yards per punt in two games with the team.

–Field Level Media

Dec 14, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski back to work

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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is out of the basement and back at his office at team headquarters in Berea, Ohio.

Stefanski returned to the team after a positive COVID-19 test forced him to isolate in his home last week. Stefanski viewed the team’s first playoff win since 1994 from an uncomfortable distance in the bottom floor of his family’s home.

The Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night to set up a divisional playoff matchup with the AFC’s top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Stefanski was back at work 10 days after being diagnosed with COVID-19 and was required to test negative before returning to the team. Stefanski said his case was mild but he lost his sense of taste.

The Browns didn’t have long to savor the wild-card win with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs awaiting their company at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Kansas City rested during a bye last week and returned to full practice on Monday.

Offensive guard Joel Bitonio, one of the top-rated pass blockers in the NFL, also missed the wild-card game at Pittsburgh due to COVID-19. As of Thursday morning, the Browns had not cleared Bitonio from the reserve/COVID list.

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks at his play chart a during the second quarter gainst the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski among 5 positive tests

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The Cleveland Browns closed their training facility on Tuesday after learning head coach Kevin Stefanski was among five members of the organization to test positive for COVID-19.

Stefanski will be required to isolate and miss the Browns’ first playoff game in 18 years when the team visits the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. The Browns announced that special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will serve as their acting head coach.

“The Cleveland Browns were informed this morning that Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, two additional members of the coaching staff and two players have tested positive for COVID-19. Our facility is currently closed while contact tracing is taking place,” the team announced in a statement.

“The team will continue to consult with the league and medical experts to determine the appropriate next steps as the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff and the entire community remains our highest priority.”

While the Browns did not divulge the identities of the others, ESPN reported that it involved coaches for the team’s defensive backs and tight ends as well as a wide receiver and offensive lineman.

The Browns closed their facility on three separate days last week after learning of positive tests for COVID-19.

–Field Level Media

Aug 20, 2020; Berea, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski during training camp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns’ Stefanski returns to practice after false positive test

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Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski returned to the practice field on Monday, one day after he missed the session following what proved to be a false positive COVID-19 test.

Defensive coordinator Joe Woods ran practice for Stefanski, who was notified at 4 a.m. that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

“It wasn’t fun to have that phone call very early in the morning and not get the news it was a potential error until later,” Stefanski said, per Cleveland.com.

BioReference Laboratories in New Jersey issued a statement that the 77 players, coaches and staff from 11 NFL teams who tested positive were cleared after subsequent retests. The lab blamed the false positives on “isolated contamination.”

Cleveland.com reported that the Browns had more players get false positives than any other team with 12, not including Stefanski and other Browns staffers.

–Field Level Media

Browns’ Stefanski returns to practice after false positive test

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski returned to the practice field on Monday, one day after he missed the session following what proved to be a false positive COVID-19 test.

Defensive coordinator Joe Woods ran practice for Stefanski, who was notified at 4 a.m. that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

“It wasn’t fun to have that phone call very early in the morning and not get the news it was a potential error until later,” Stefanski said, per Cleveland.com.

BioReference Laboratories in New Jersey issued a statement that the 77 players, coaches and staff from 11 NFL teams who tested positive were cleared after subsequent retests. The lab blamed the false positives on “isolated contamination.”

Cleveland.com reported that the Browns had more players get false positives than any other team with 12, not including Stefanski and other Browns staffers.

–Field Level Media