Head coach Kevin Stefanski promised the fullback would return as a feature focal point within his offense and executive vice president of football operations and general manager Andrew Berry found him one.
“I'm really excited to add Andy into our group,” Stefanski said. “He's a schematic fit to what we want to be. He has all the intangibles you think of when you think of fullbacks. He's as tough as they come. He's a team player through and through. Fits the mentality of what we're trying to be.”
Janovich, a former sixth-round pick out of Nebraska, is expecting a seamless transition with the Browns.
“I’m really excited,” Janovich said. “They’re going to have an offense like [Gary] Kubiak had or I had with [Rich] Scangarello here. I’m really excited I’m going to a place that wants to use and utilize what I can bring.”
Janovich appeared in 50 games with 19 starts through four seasons with the Broncos but his 2019 season was limited to seven games because of an elbow injury.
His primary job in Cleveland will be to help pave the way for Nick Chubb, who finished second in the NFL in rushing with 1,494 yards last season, and Kareem Hunt and help keep quarterback Baker Mayfield upright.
“Just looking at the talent they have on the offensive side of the ball, there’s weapons all over the place,” Janovich said. “I think it can be really special if we can pull it all together.”
Janovich has 13 carries for 51 yards and 22 passes for 233 yards on his resume. He scored four times, three rushing.