CLEVELAND, Ohio — I wondered if it would crack.
I meant the relationship between the Browns coaching staff and the front office, especially during the trying times with Deshaun Watson at quarterback.
Browns fans have seen it before.
Something goes wrong on the field. The front office blames the coaches for not squeezing the best out of the players. The coaches blame the front office for not acquiring better players.
There are rumors and whispers, along with discreetly pointed fingers.
“Internal discord.”
That’s what Browns owner Jimmy Haslam called it in 2018 when he fired head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley. For years, there would be reports from nameless sources about discontent in the front office and/or coaching staff.
The Watson trade/signing is one of the worst deals in NFL history. In the past, working relationships would have been shattered as key people ran for cover. But that never happened between Browns GM Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski. They remained supportive of each other.
Is that the only reason the Haslam ownership brought them back after the 3-14 record in 2024? No.
But the “alignment” Haslam sought for years between his key front office people and coaches has allowed Berry and Stefanski to stay together.
“Kevin was a coach of the year twice (in his five seasons),” Haslam said at the NFL owners meetings earlier this year. “Andrew was regarded as one of the top executives in pro football at the age of 37. I don’t think they forgot how to coach. I don’t think they forgot how to do personnel. There are things both of them can do better … but we have high confidence in both of them.”
Former Cleveland Browns head coaches Sam Rutigliano and Marty Schottenheimer
Former Cleveland Browns head coaches Sam Rutigliano (L) and Marty Schottenheimer. Kevin Stefanski may one day be mentioned with them. The Plain Dealer
Going into Year Six
If Stefanski finishes this season as head coach, it will be the longest tenured Browns coach since Sam Rutigliano had the job for 6 1/2 seasons (1978-84).
Being the GM already for five years, Berry has the longest run for the Browns since Ernie Accorsi (1985-91).
One of the best public relations moves Haslam made was to come out and take the blame for the Watson deal.
“We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun,” Haslam said at the NFL owners meetings. “We thought we had the quarterback, but we didn’t. And we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole.”
He’s allowing Stefanski and Berry to grab shovels and go to work.
“I’ve said this numerous times that Deshaun Watson was an entire organization decision,” said Haslam. “It ends with Dee (Haslam) and me, so hold us accountable.”
The Browns wisely refuse to enter a public debate about who pushed hardest for the Watson trade. Certainly, there were football people who wanted the former Houston quarterback.
But giving up six draft picks and trading for a player who was facing more than 20 civil lawsuits for his conduct with massage therapists …
And also giving him what was a record-breaking $230 million fully guaranteed contract in 2022 …
In the end, a decision of that magnitude rests with ownership.
Day 1 of Cleveland Browns training camp in Berea
GM Andrew Berry has a lot of confidence in Kevin Stefanski's leadership skills. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
What GMs & coaches must do
Unlike some GMs/coaches in the Browns’ past, Berry and Stefanski realize they will rise or fall as a unit.
“We feel very responsible (to remain aligned),” Stefanski said after the 2024 season. “We are tied at the hip. We will do everything in our power together. Andrew works really, really hard at this and we will get it fixed.”
In their five seasons, they’ve had two winning records, two trips to the playoffs and one postseason victory. It’s the most successful tenure of any Browns GM/coach combination since Accorsi and Marty Schottenheimer in the late 1980s.
That said, the five years of Berry/Stefanski often have been frustrating. They can’t put together back-to-back winning seasons. In fact, the Browns haven’t done that since the late 1980s.
Now Berry and Stefanski head into the post-Watson world looking for yet another quarterback.
“I have learned that we have a fantastic coach who is an even better human being,” Berry told me. “On the professional level, you learn with tenure in this job how important it is to have the trust and loyalty in your counterpart. You have no shot if you can’t work side by side and fight back to back. The work is too hard.”
I’ve talked to people who know both men well. They told me how Berry and Stefanski will argue, sometimes with a lot of emotion. But stay away from personal attacks. They have respect for each other as people.
“We can push and challenge one another without it creating cracks in our relationship,” said Berry. “It’s because we’re doing what is best for the organization. I am blessed to have him as a partner and, on a personal level, he is as close as family at this point.”
Cleveland Browns veteran minicamp in Berea
Can this group deliver more than three wins? John Kuntz, cleveland.com
How many wins? More than three!
The Browns aren’t making any specific predictions about the season. But in his July press conference, Haslam said there can be no repeat of 3-14.
“We’ve got to do better than three,” said the owner. “To put a number on it, I don’t think we will ever do that. Everybody, coaches, players, personnel, ownership – all know that 3-14 won’t cut it.”
Berry believes that will happen partly because of all that he’s been through with Stefanski.
“Alignment and having not just good people,” Berry said, “it’s the right people in the right roles. Given their strengths, this is incredibly important. We talk about it with all good players not fitting every philosophy/scheme. It’s the same when you hire for all aspects of the organization. I really love where our staff is today and the working cohesion is excellent.”
Berry believes the changes to the coaching staff will revive the offense Tommy Rees has replaced Ken Dorsey as offensive coordinator. Mike Bloomgren is the new offensive line coach.
Joe Flacco wins Browns starting quarterback job: Crowquill
Illustration by Ted Crow for Crowquill. Joe Flacco was named starting quarterback for the Browns opener versus the Cincinnati Bengals. Ted Crow
Back to 2023
But the new coaches are going back to the old system of zone blocking and a more run-centered offense that was successful in the 2023 playoff season. It was abandoned and coaches were fired in 2024 in an attempt to find an offense better suited for Watson.
The result was a team that scored the fewest points, threw the most passes and interceptions of anyone in the NFL in 2024.
“Obviously we had to pivot this year based on how last year went and the new personnel in place,” said Berry. “Kevin and our coaches believe in being flexible and fitting their scheme to match what our players do best and we are excited about what we are striving to accomplish on offense this year.”
Joe Flacco (2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year) is back after the Browns decided against signing him in 2024. Now, the 40-year-old Flacco is starting the opener.
“Joe’s strength is pushing the ball down the field,” said Berry. “He’s highly accurate. He’s good from the pocket. He’s good in terms of the play/action pass.”
Those are important ingredients to Stefanski’s offense, which is why Flacco thrived here in 2023. In five games, he threw 13 TD passes and averaged 321 yards passing per game. He also heaved eight interceptions. The Browns were 4-1 in his regular season starts.
“I expect our defense to be much better this season,” said Berry. “But it doesn’t matter how good the other units are if you can’t score points and if you turn the ball over the way we did in the last few years.”
The Browns know they have to put a team on the field that looks prepared and engaged. The playoff seasons of 2020 and 2023 are models. Both times, the Browns entered the season with low expectations and faced a lot of adversity – and surprised by making the playoffs.
It’s hard to imagine that happening this season. But as Haslam said, “We gotta do better than three (wins).”
“I always say that we are stewards of the organization,” said Berry. “In our roles, we have a deep responsibility to the fans and community. This franchise has so much history and the region’s passion is so deeply embedded with the team. We understand and do not take that lightly.”
Previously:
Part 1 with Andrew Berry: Sizing up Browns quarterbacks
Part 2 with Andrew Berry: Browns strategy, signing Myles Garrett & 2025 expectations
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