At 3-12, the Browns are on the cusp of their worst record since 2017 when they finished 0-16. From poor roster management to injuries, the franchise is at a crossroads having the most expensive roster as well as one of the oldest rosters in the NFL. Fans and local media have blamed ownership (Jimmy and Dee Haslam), the front office (Andrew Berry and Paul DePodesta) and the coaching staff (specifically Kevin Stefanski). At the NFL owners’ meetings held in early December, Jimmy Haslam talked about their future with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who wrote: “Asked whether he has the right players in place with Stefanski and Berry, Haslam added: ‘I do. We do. We’re very supportive.” Let’s look at the cases for staying and going with Berry, PeDodesta and Stefanski.
Andrew Berry
Positives
- Stability and Continuity: Berry has brought much-needed stability to the Browns, a franchise previously plagued by constant turnover. He is now in his fifth season with the team.
- Innovative Strategies: A strong analytical approach has introduced modern, forward-thinking methods to roster building and game management.
- Player Acquisitions: Successfully drafted contributors like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Grant Delpit and made impactful trades for players such as Jerry Jeudy and Wyatt Teller.
- Playoff Appearances: Under Berry’s leadership, the Browns have made two playoff appearances, a rarity for the franchise.
- Fair and Compassionate Contract Management: Berry is praised for handling player contracts and trades in a fair manner, fostering goodwill among players. Examples include trading veterans like Amari Cooper and Za’Darius Smith to contending teams and signing players to short-term deals to maintain roster flexibility.
Negatives
- Deshaun Watson Trade: Widely regarded as one of the worst trades in NFL history due to Watson’s underperformance and the high cost in draft capital and salary cap space ($145,870,000 over the next two years).
- Draft Struggles: Misses on critical draft selections, such as Jedrick Wills over Tristan Wirfs, have had long-term negative effects on the roster. Other disappointments include Greg Newsome, and the failure to draft impact players at wide receiver (Anthony Schwartz, David Bell, Cedric Tillman) and defensive tackle (Jordan Elliott, Perion Winfrey, Siaka Ika, Tommy Togiai, Mike Hall).
- Character Evaluation Issues: Poor assessment of off-field character has led to acquisitions like Deshaun Watson, Malik McDowell, Perion Winfrey, and Mike Hall, who have drawn negative attention for personal conduct issues.
- Draft Consistency: Limited success in identifying and developing middle- and late-round talent, which is crucial for building championship-caliber teams.
Verdict: Stay, but he is on the hot seat. I am 50/50 on Berry because the Watson trade and draft misses have been evident. However, I believe he could do a better job if a certain individual was not involved in roster building and transactions. As of right now, I’d give Berry another shot to get this right and seems to be liked by ownership.
Paul DePodesta
Positives
- Hiring Stefanski: DePodesta played a pivotal role in recommending Kevin Stefanski as head coach in 2019, a decision that has proven successful with Stefanski leading the Browns to two playoff appearances and winning Coach of the Year twice.
- Vision in Hiring Coaches: Reportedly advocated for Sean McDermott over Hue Jackson during the head coach search, demonstrating a keen eye for coaching talent and long-term success strategies.
- Strategic Thinking: His contributions to the team’s overall strategic direction have included focusing on analytics and evidence-based decision-making.
Negatives
- Limited Involvement: DePodesta’s physical absence from team facilities due to living in San Diego raises questions about his direct involvement and influence on day-to-day operations.
- Instability Under His Tenure: Since 2016, the Browns have gone through four head coaches and three GMs, despite DePodesta remaining a constant presence as CSO.
- Challenges Applying Baseball Strategies to Football: His background in baseball has led to attempts to apply “Moneyball” philosophies that do not translate well to football, where immediate contributions from players are expected due to shorter development windows.
- Reported Offensive Interference: Allegedly advocated for a shotgun-based offense tailored to Deshaun Watson, which may have contributed to offensive struggles this season. The firing of Alex Van Pelt and the hiring of Ken Dorsey, whose performance has been criticized, reflect poorly on this decision if true.
- Questionable Offensive Direction: Rumored involvement in the offensive strategy has highlighted potential overthinking, which mirrors challenges seen in Kevin Stefanski’s decision-making.
Verdict: Fired. I believe DePodesta has been a huge catalyst in the demise of this team. He’s been here for numerous regimes and has not done anything helpful besides hiring the coach. The financial transactions and analytics have not worked. Someone must pay for the decline of the team, and it appears it’ll be him.
Kevin Stefanski
Positives
- Offensive Expertise: Stefanski is known for his creative and adaptable play-calling, tailoring game plans to maximize his players’ strengths.
- Team Success: Led the Browns to their first playoff victory in over two decades and has brought the team to the playoffs twice during his tenure. Stefanski is 40-42 in five seasons.
- Coach of the Year Awards: Won NFL Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2023, a testament to his impactful leadership and success in transforming the Browns.
- Stability and Culture: Brought professionalism and a calm, steady leadership style, fostering accountability and resilience within the team.
- Analytics-Driven Approach: Utilizes data and analytics effectively to make strategic decisions, aligning the Browns with modern NFL trends.
Negatives
- Game Management: Has faced criticism for questionable in-game decisions, including clock management and fourth-down calls.
- Offensive Overthinking: Sometimes overcomplicates the offensive schemes, which can hinder execution and consistency.
- Defensive Struggles: Under his leadership, the team has struggled to maintain defensive consistency, which has cost the team in critical moments.
- Pressure in High-Stakes Games: The team’s performance has been inconsistent in must-win or high-stakes situations, raising concerns about Stefanski’s ability to elevate the team during pivotal games.
- Reliance on Specific Strategies: Critics argue that his offense can sometimes lack adaptability against well-prepared defenses, leading to stalled drives and predictable play-calling.
Verdict: Stay, but he is also on the hot seat. Stefanski, on paper, has achieved things that coaches usually don’t in winning Coach of the Year awards. However, there are issues with being the CEO of a team with involvement in playcalling, penalties, and roster management. If he gets off to a bad start next year, I can see him gone. But, I’d like to see him without significant ownership influence.
I would like to see DePodesta gone and ownership to allow Berry and Stefanski to at least, try to fix the issues. The team will have an easier schedule next year after having the toughest schedule this season. A lot has to happen, but it’s a start going into the 2025 season.
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