The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Berry praises Stefanski as ‘unflappable’
One has to have followed the Browns since they were reborn as an expansion franchise in 1999 to understand the significance of the following sentence:
General manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski work together like the hour hand and minute hand of a clock.
Stefanski was hired on Jan. 12 of last year to replace Freddie Kitchens. Although Berry was officially hired two weeks later to replace John Dorsey, it was a foregone conclusion that Berry would be returning to the Browns as general manager after one year in the Eagles’ front office.
Berry was the Browns’ vice president of player personnel from 2016 to 2018. He and Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta recommended hiring Stefanski in 2019, but team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam listened to Dorsey and promoted Kitchens from offensive coordinator to head coach.
It isn’t often that the Browns head coach and general manager sing in harmony. They usually aren’t even singing the same song.
But Berry and Stefanski have been like-minded from the beginning, and that’s a major reason the Browns have advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs where they will meet the Kansas City Chiefs at 3:05 p.m. Jan. 17 in Arrowhead Stadium.
“We are very excited as an organization to be preparing for the divisional
round against the Chiefs,” Berry said Jan. 15 on Zoom. “With that being said, that’s not our destination and that’s not our final goal.
“This group has dealt with a ton of adversity and challenges over the course of the year, and none perhaps greater than what we’ve experienced the past two or three weeks (with COVID-19). At every turn and every pass, everyone has responded in a fantastic manner with positive attitudes and really found solutions to some challenging problems. Really pleased with where we are organizationally, and obviously, we’re excited to go to Arrowhead and play this Sunday against the reigning Super Bowl champs.”
The Browns were 6-10 last season in Kitchen’s only season as head coach. They finished 11-5 in the 2020 regular season and on Jan. 10 beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh, 48-37, in a wildcard playoff game. It was their first playoff victory since they beat the New England Patriots in a wildcard game on Jan. 1, 1995 — 104 days before Baker Mayfield was born.
The Zoom conference with Berry was his first since the bye midway through the season. It is a bit unusual he chose to meet (virtually) with the media before the season ends, but it was his call.
Berry was asked whether the Browns will offer Mayfield a contract extension and whether Mayfield has done enough to solidify himself as the “long-term” quarterback for the Browns.
“It’s a good question,” he said. “With all due respect, I think those questions are better served when we’re actually focused on 2021. It’s probably just easier to say really pleased with Baker’s performance and really pleased with what he has done this year. We would not be here without his contributions.”
Stefanski was not with the Browns for the playoff game in Pittsburgh because he tested positive for COVD-19 five days earlier, but he ran meetings remotely from his home in the days leading to the game.
Left guard Joel Bitonio and cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson also were on the COVID list for the Steelers game. Stefanski and all three players will be with the Browns in Kansas City.
“Kevin is unflappable,” Berry said. “Obviously, very, very bright and strategic. but he’s unflappable. He’s the same person every day. Even-keeled demeanor. Fantastic with people.
“You need that steady hand within your organization with the inevitable ups and downs and adversity that hits in any NFL season, let alone this one specifically. I can’t say enough kind and positive words about the job that Kevin and his staff have done.”
Berry had high praise for the Chiefs ahead of the playoff game. He graduated from Harvard cum laude.
He was not about to give the Chiefs any bulletin board material.
“They are a fantastic organization and fantastic team,” Berry said. “They have a lot of talented players on the roster — not just Patrick (quarterback Patrick Mahomes), but whether it is (wide receiver) Tyreek Hill, (tight end) Travis Kelce, (defensive tackle) Chris Jones or (safety) Tyrann Mathieu, and really a Hall of Fame Head Coach (Andy Reid), who has a fantastic staff as well.
“We have a lot of respect for the Chiefs and realize they are one of the best teams in the sport. With that being said, whether it’s Baker or other players, we have a lot of confidence in the guys who are in our building, and they’ve proven it week in and week out. We’re excited for the challenge.”