Kevin Stefanski is excited about a full season with Deshaun Watson in 2024. (Cleveland Browns)
Kevin Stefanski says he's excited to re-start the Deshaun Watson era
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Takeaways from Browns season exit interviews …
The turning of the page from Joe Flacco back to Deshaun Watson began in the bowels of NRG Stadium Saturday night.
A dejected Flacco sorted out his emotions after his two Pick 6’s sealed a 45-14 playoff elimination to the Houston Texans in the AFC wild card game.
Flacco, who turns 39 on Tuesday, repeatedly has said he wants to play in 2024. But he knows it won’t be in Cleveland, where he captivated the Browns’ locker room and fan base with his easy-going demeanor and cannon arm, and posted a 4-1 record before the post-season exit.
“I love it here and we’re dealing with so much right now, just going through the emotions of this game and being so excited to be in this position, and now to come up empty,” Flacco said. “So I think that’s where my head is, is just kind of trying to soak it all in and let this digest a little bit.”
On locker clean-out day back in Berea on Sunday, every player asked said it would be great for Flacco to come back. But the potential for division in the locker room – and the likelihood of that in the fan base – plus the financial commitment to Watson, make a Flacco return awkward at best and polarizing at worst.
“I don’t know how that’s going to work,” said offensive co-captain Joel Bitonio.
Coach Kevin Stefanski, who had an exit interview with Flacco, predictably deferred a question about Flacco’s future with the Browns to GM Andrew Berry.
“I will say this about Joe,” Stefanski said. “Joe was awesome for this football team. He did a great job, battled like crazy. I know he enjoyed it. We obviously wish yesterday’s outcome was different, but I have a ton of respect for Joe and what he was able to do.
“I think Joe is going to work through everything this offseason, as you can imagine. He’s grateful for the opportunity and he’ll work through this offseason, see where it lands.”
For the record, Flacco and Watson each started and finished five regular-season games. Each was 4-1 and each had a passer rating of 90.2.
Flacco was 123 of 204 (60.3 percent) for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions.
Watson was 106 of 165 (64.2 percent) for 1,110 yards, seven touchdowns, three interceptions.
Flacco was sacked eight times and ran the ball nine times for two yards. Watson was sacked 17 times and had 26 runs for 142 yards and one touchdown.
All-in with No. 4
Stefanski left no doubt of his confidence and excitement in having Watson for a full season in 2024. Because of a suspension and injuries, Watson has appeared in only 12 games in the first two years of his fully-guaranteed, five-year contract.
Watson had surgery on November 21 to repair a dislocated fracture of the glenoid bone in his right shoulder. That came after an unrelated micro-tear, or bruise, in his right rotator cuff.
“He’s doing great in rehab,” Stefanski said. “I’m confident he’ll be ready to roll this spring. He’s chomping at the bit, but he’s doing everything he’s supposed to do when it comes to what the doctors are telling him and as he rehabs through this.
“I mean, 4-1 as a starter. Some really great moments. That second half versus Baltimore is something that I don’t know how many people on Earth can do. What he did with the injuries that he had in that second half, so very excited for him. He’s excited. I know he wants to get back healthy and he’s well on his way to doing that.”
The more the coach was pressed on why he believes Watson is “the guy” to take the Browns to the Super Bowl, the deeper he dug in.
“Deshaun has shown here and throughout his career, he’s a playmaker,” Stefanski said. “He’s made a ton of plays for us, and that’s part of his game that we’re so excited about. He put it on display, so getting him healthy, getting him back in the system and those types of things, he’s excited about it.
“I would just tell you Deshaun’s been in this system. He knows his teammates. He’ll rehab like he does. He’s attacking it already. So I just have a ton of confidence in him just based on the work he’s put in and what I’ve seen from him.”
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is hoping to get a new contract after an outstanding third season with the Browns. (Cleveland Browns)
JOK not happy
To me, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was the only defensive player who showed up in Houston. He played every down, led the Browns with nine tackles, including four for losses.
But JOK said he was not happy with his game, citing a missed assignment on the 76-yard catch-and-run by Houston tight end Brevin Jordan that gave the Texans the lead for good, 17-14, in the second quarter.
“I would say that it’s hard to [take any personal satisfaction from that game],” he said. “And this whole year, it’s been us. It’s been us against the world. It’s hard to take an individual praise. It’s very hard to. For me, I go back and look at that, which I should have did better.
“I apologized to the coaches after that. I apologize to the teammates after, just because I think I could have did more myself. So again, I think it comes back to that and just being accountable and saying, ‘Hey, look, no matter what we did individually as a team, we came into this as team, we leave as a team.’”
JOK enters the final year of his rookie contract in 2024. He’s eligible for an extension and figures to get one as he is considered an important block in the foundation of the team.
“Yeah, I love Cleveland,” he said. “I’m not a super party guy. Cleveland is just the spot for me. But nevertheless, I mean, I think a lot of the things come down to what the front office wants to do. Of course, [I’m] in my third year, so I’m not sure how much leverage I do have at this point, but I’d be looking to see what the front office thinks and try to get whatever.”
Brownie bitsBitonio concluded a frustrating personal season by suffering a high ankle sprain in the second quarter. He came back to finish the game in the second half. He wore a boot on his right foot on Sunday. Bitonio said a knee injury prior to the bye week “didn’t allow me to train and practice the way I wanted to," which, he thinks, led to back and oblique injuries. “It was honestly very frustrating for me this year,” he said …
Running back Kareem Hunt said he will test free agency again in March. He found no takers in 2023 and was ecstatic to return to the Browns after Nick Chubb’s knee injury in Game 2. Hunt led the Browns with nine touchdowns and added two more in the wild-card loss. The native of Willoughby said he will not stop yearning for a Browns championship season. “It’s my ultimate hope, no matter what,” he said. “Even if I’m playing for another team, or anything, I’ll always be happy and satisfied if they bring a championship to Cleveland. That’s my hometown. Shoot, I’d probably be at the parade cheering them on if that were to happen. I wish nothing but the best for the organization, the Cleveland Browns, and I’m happy I got to be a part of this for so long.”
