BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – In what should come as no surprise, there was no time spent on discussing a quarterback change according to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Be it quarterback, the offensive line or receivers, Stefanski’s message is simple.
“We need to do better,” Stefanski said. “That's obvious. And again, it's not a one person needs to do better or one position needs to do better or players or coaches. We underline, we just need to be better.”
Here’s the rest of Wednesday’s Brownie Bites.
4 and few scores – Deshaun Watson will remain the starter and there was no consideration given to benching him this week according to Stefanski. “I know you can take out plays and look at that and there's obviously plays that Deshaun wants back,” Stefanski said. “There's calls that I want back. That happens in the course of a game. We just have to do our best from a coaching perspective, from a player's perspective to execute what's out there.” Watson has struggled feeling pressure, remaining comfortable in the pocket and delivering accurate throws down the field leading to pundits calling for him to be benched. “I don't hear it,” Watson said. “I don't see it so I'm not on Twitter, I'm not on any social media or things like that. So anytime that stuff comes up, the only time I first hear it is either you guys are bringing it up or somebody else outside and I just don't know who it's coming from.” Watson, who threw for just 125 yards last week, is completing 60.2% of his passes with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He has yet to throw for 200 yards in a game in 2024. “I feel like there's been opportunities for us to be able to play winning football and hit the open guy,” Watson said. “Maybe there was one or two things that were kind of off track that didn't capitalize and we didn't capitalize on that. And then there's been some times where as a quarterback and misreading some things or second guessing some things, but at the same time I think that's part of just getting the reps and part of watching film and trying to find ways to get better each and every week.”
Dead last – Cleveland ranks 32nd in yards per game, yards per play, passing net yards per play, sacks per pass play, third down efficiency, 30th in passing, 29th in first downs per game and 27th in rushing offensively this season. “It is frustrating for all of us,” receiver Jerry Jeudy, who has 19 catches for 213 yards and a touchdown, said. “Nobody want to start season one in four, but the only thing we could do is just keep our head up and keep pushing, keep grinding, keep working, and just take it day by day.”
Calling it – Stefanski considered turning play calling over to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey but has decided to continue doing it himself. “I'm comfortable with the amount of collaboration we have right now on the headset and how we operate so that won't change,” Stefanski said, “but I do want to emphasize that it's a number one, we're constantly looking at things that we can do better, but number two, this is a collective effort from players and coaches to make sure that we are playing better on offense.” The Browns have had numerous instances of confusion during games, including twice in four plays in the third quarter at Washington that saw them burn a timeout and be unable to go for it on fourth down. “I think that's my job, as coaches, our job, players, that's our job,” Stefanski said. “We have to execute and you got to execute really at all times. It can't be just the first couple plays. Just the last couple plays. You have to be great for 60 minutes or more.”
More Chubb – Running back Nick Chubb will do a little bit more in practice this week as part of his “natural progression,” but Stefanski is being cautious about putting him in a game too quickly. “I think really with all the guys and Nick especially, it's really a day-to-day thing,” Stefanski said. “See how they come out of today. Let's see how they do Thursday. Not going to rush any decisions.” Chubb, fellow back Nyheim Hines and offensive guard Michael Dunn were designated to return to practice last Wednesday giving the team 21 days to activate the three players.
Roster moves – Long snapper Charley Hughlett was placed on injured reserve due to a rib injury. The Browns signed Rex Sunahara, who was with the team during parts of training camp, to replace Hughlett. Tight end Geoff Swaim was also signed from the practice squad. Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II and linebacker Mohamoud Diabate were designated to return to practice, opening a 21-day window to activate both players. Safety Trey Dean and defensive end Marcus Hayes were added to the practice squad.
Injury report – DNP: S Grant Delpit (concussion), RB D’Onta Foreman (ankle), S Ronnie Hickman (ankle), T James Hudson (shoulder), LS Charley Hughlett (ribs), C Ethan Pocic (knee), CB Denzel Ward (hamstring), DE Myles Garrett (Achilles), TE David Njoku (knee, ankle), WR Amari Cooper (rest); LIMITED: RB Nick Chubb (knee), RB Nyheim Hines (knee), OT Jack Conklin (hamstring), Mohamoud Diabate (hip), LB Jordan Hicks (elbow, triceps), DT Maurice Hurst (ankle), RB Pierre Strong (hamstring), OT Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee), OG Zak Zinter (knee); FULL: DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (illness), WR Jerry Jeudy (knee)