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Kevin Stefanski trusts in what Browns have planned to address quarterback 'uncertainty'
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- Kevin Stefanski trusts in what Browns have planned to address quarterback 'uncertainty'
BEREA — The quarterback position is the most important one in sports. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski understands that well.
When Stefanski has had good quarterback play in his time with the Browns , he's had success. That includes times when even Deshaun Watson , in his 19 combined starts in three seasons, has played well.
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Which makes what's going to transpire this offseason so critical for the Browns. On a list of to-do items this offseason — a list which now includes hiring a new offensive coordinator and offensive line coach after Sunday's firing of Ken Dorsey and Andy Dickerson — there is no bigger thing to do than fix the quarterback position.
"There's uncertainty in pro sports," Stefanski said Sunday. "There's uncertainty in the NFL. We really trust in the guys we have, I trust in what we're going to do in terms of putting this thing back together, but the fact that there's going to be uncertainty at any position, I think, is just part of this league."
The Browns finished their season Saturday night with a 35-10 loss at the Baltimore Ravens . They started their fourth quarterback of the season — Bailey Zappe — in the game. He also was the 11th different starting QB since Stefanski became head coach in 2020.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson talks with head coach Kevin Stefanski during a workout, Wednesday, June 8, 2022 in Berea.
Watson, who's still owed $92 million over the final two years of his fully-guaranteed contract, is still progressing through his recovery from a torn Achilles in Week 7. Stefanski was asked point-blank if he still saw a starting caliber quarterback in Watson.
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"Again, I think the No. 1 thing for Deshaun and I've talked to him about this, is he has to get healthy," Stefanski said. "He's working hard towards that goal, obviously, and then we need to be more consistent. And that's at the quarterback position, that's at every position, certainly on the team, but speaking specifically to the offense, we need more consistent play. But for Deshaun, the No. 1 thing that he needs to do is get healthy."
Watson this season, coming off his shoulder surgery that ended the 2023 season, was 26th in passer rating (79) and touchdown percentage (2.3%), 25th in passing yards (1,148), tied for 25th in TD passes (five), 29th in yards per attempt (5.31) and was sacked 33 times at the time of his injury. The Browns offense, meanwhile, was 32nd in total yards (253.9) and third-down conversion rate (23.7%), 30th in passing (159.6), 29th in points per game (15.6) and tied for 28th in rush offense (94.3).
Who else will be in that quarterback room with Watson? Dorian Thompson-Robinson , the 2023 fifth-round pick who has made five starts and 15 appearances in two seasons, will be entering his third season, but likely will at least have some competition for a roster spot next year.
Jameis Winston , who gave the Browns' offense a lift over his seven starts, but also derailed it with his 12 interceptions, will be a free agent after this season. There's been talk of bringing in a veteran quarterback like a Kirk Cousins to serve as a bridge to the quarterback who eventually comes in to be the franchise quarterback.
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Stefanski wasn't going to pigeon-hole himself into a style of quarterback.
"I don't think of it in those terms necessarily," Stefanski said. "I think we need to, whatever we look at as an organization, and guys that are available and who we bring back at every position, cause I would love to bring everybody back. It's not possible. Unfortunately they have these roster rules that get in the way, but we'll see how it all shakes out."
That franchise quarterback, meanwhile, could come in the form of the No. 2 pick in the draft: University of Colorado's Shedeur Sanders or University of Miami's Cam Ward .
The scouting on those players has fallen under the domain of general manager Andrew Berry and his staff to this point. Stefanski figures to be more involved now that the offseason has arrived, with the Senior Bowl approaching at the end of this month.
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"We'll work through all of that," Stefanski said. "I know Andrew's way ahead of me when it comes to that, but I'll get my scout hat on here pretty quickly."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kevin Stefanski trusts in plan for Browns QB improvement
