PALM BEACH, Fla. — Like everyone in the Browns organization, Kevin Stefanski wants to turn the page on the Baker-Mayfield era and move forward.
“We’ll see,” he said of Mayfield’s status at the NFL Annual Meeting Coach Breakfast. “Everyone understands the situation and we hope it will eventually be resolved.”
When and where Mayfield might trade, he said: “Honestly, that’s something Andrew [Berry] could probably answer better than me. I understand that there are several dynamics at play. I don’t have much to add to that. It’s a unique situation. We’ll have to see how it develops. I know us all, you would like an answer yesterday. But that is not the reality.”
Stefanski made it clear that he was not initially involved in the “five-month odyssey” of Deshaun Watson’s due diligence described by Berry.
“Yeah, well for me, I mean, until we finish the season, I’m not really going to get into that sort of thing,” he said. “Of course we’ll start talking about our plan as soon as the season is over. Then I’ll be looped in. But then I tried to get a first down.”
He wasn’t sure the Browns were trying to trade Mayfield before the Watson deal was finalized. After Mayfield requested the trade on the day Watson allegedly ruled out the Browns, there was some interest but no one was heavily involved in talks.
“It’s fluid, but I can’t speak specifically to the timing of it,” he said. “But I would tell you that there are many conversations going on.”
Stefanski gets some inside information about Amari Cooper
Stefanski didn’t have to look far for 411 on his new four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper. All he had to do was ask quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who played for Stefanski in Minnesota.
“I’ve had some good conversations with Amari,” Stefanski said. “I gotta tell you, I got a really good tip from Amari’s high school teammates, his quarterback in high school (in Northwest Miami) was a guy named Teddy Bridgewater. So Teddy said, ‘Ask Amari about football in Dade County and he’ll answer.’ And it worked. So Amari was great. I think he’s looking forward to joining the team, I think he’s looking forward to getting to work. I look forward to seeing him in April.”
Stefanski got a great first impression of his new X-Receiver.
“I’m really excited to add Amari,” he said. “The first thing that strikes you when you meet Amari is how physical, how tall he is and how imposing he can be. You can see that in his play. He’s a physical athlete with the ball in his hands, he can bounce against men’s marking. He was a prolific player in his career. He’s made a lot of games, someone we’ll be counting on. I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
He also believes Cooper is versatile enough to play indoors or outdoors, as does Jarvis Landry, who has a chance of a return.
“We’ve had talks about it,” he said. “As for Jarvis, I can’t go into too much detail because it’s an unknown and we’ll see how it all plays out. Jarvis has played a number of games with us on the inside but also played on the outside so I think it just speaks to these two players and their versatility.”
Stefanski knows the importance of QB Jacoby Brissett
Stefanski is ready to start Jacoby Brissett, the Colts’ former starter, for the first part of the season if Watson is suspended by the NFL.
“It’s an important role,” said Stefanski. “That person has to be willing to step in and win you a ball game in no time. So to have a guy like Jacoby who went through that, who started a lot of football games, he’s really a smart young man. I only got to know him when they brought him in throughout the process and I think we got a really good one there.
Browns is still monitoring Jadeveon Clowney
Stefanski is waiting to see how things progress with free-agent defenseman Jadeveon Clowney, who the Browns are still trying to re-sign.
“With so many of these free agents, you monitor situations, you see where they are, what teams they’re talking to,” he said. “Andrew and his staff are constantly talking to everyone there and getting updates every day. Sometimes things go slower than we might all like, but that’s free rein. So we’re just going to keep monitoring it and see how it develops.”
Stefanski “very excited” about Nick Harris at center
Stefanski is excited for 2020 fifth-round Nick Harris to get his chance down the middle after JC Tretter is gone.
“He came in there and did a really good job,” said Stefanski. “He mainly played guard for us a few years ago. I got into that Green Bay game, I think you saw his ability. Very intelligent player. Plays very hard, athletic player, so excited for him.”
Harris, who came on for Tretter (COVID-19) in that game, did well and gave the Browns a glimpse of his future at center.
design plans
Stefanski joked that he “must have something to do” on the first night of the draft since the Browns don’t have a first-round pick after the Houston trade.
“But nothing really changes for us,” he said. “We want to get to know these players really, really well because we might be up against them. They can be in free hands in four years. We want to stick with our process and make sure we know these people.”
As for the second-round pick, No. 44 overall, the Browns can stay or potentially trade. One possibility is another weapon for Watson.
“Every position is on the table,” said Stefanski. “Only after my study do I think there will be good players. I really do. I think there will be a good player for us in the second round. At which point, I’m not sure yet. But I’m pretty confident that Andrew and his staff will find someone who can help us.”
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