The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
More from Watson is priority
Browns also need upgrades on defensive line, receiver, among others
The Browns need better defensive tackles. They need at least one wide receiver to pair with Amari Cooper and they need a free safety after deciding to release John Johnson after two seasons.
But most of all, head coach Kevin Stefanski needs to get more from Deshaun Watson than what Watson showed while starting the final six games of 2022.
If that doesn’t happen, the train with the Browns on it will never leave the station in 2023.
Stefanski would not get specific on March 1 about how different the offense might look next season when he met with reporters covering the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He said he has spoken with Watson since the season ended, but CBA rules prohibit coaches and players from talking about specific team-related matters.
“We’re still talking,” Stefanski said when it was his turn at the podium. “I think just getting on the same page on everything — how we meet and how we structure practice, making sure he’s comfortable with different things. You talk about everything under the sun with players in an exit meeting and certainly try to do the same with Deshaun.
“I know we’re seeing the game very similarly. I think he’s very excited about what we’re going to be doing offensively and what we’re going to be doing as a team. It’s March. We have plenty of time once we do get back together to try different things. There is no shortage to the amount of the offense you can run. It’s just a matter of what you can hang your hat on and what you can get good at come the spring and summer.”
Stefanski did, however, outline how coaching assignments will work this season with the goal of helping Watson return to his 2020 form with the Texans, when he threw 33 touchdown passes and seven interceptions while also pushing for three touchdowns. Watson threw seven touchdown passes and rushed for one TD while going 3-3 with the Browns in December and
January.
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt worked closely with Baker Mayfield in 2020 and 2021, but Drew Petzing was moved to quarterbacks coach from tight ends coach last season. Van Pelt did not work as closely with Jacoby Brissett and Watson as Petzing did. That will change for 2023. Petzing was hired by the Arizona Cardinals to be their offensive coordinator.
“Alex Van Pelt is one of the best teammates I’ve ever been around,” Stefanski said. “AVP was in that
quarterback room as really the main voice the first two years. I felt like with Drew going to Arizona, this is an opportunity for AVP to go back in there.
“I say that because AVP and I are in every quarterback meeting. AVP took a step back so Drew could have a voice in there and did a great job. AVP adds continuity to the position.”
Ashton Grant, a quality coach last season, will work with the quarterbacks as an offensive assistant. Bill Musgrave, 55, a former NFL offensive coordinator and
the offensive coordinator at Cal the last three years, will not work directly with Watson.
“I’m always cognizant of how many voices are talking to the quarterback,” Stefanski said. “Bill has a ton of experience as an offensive coordinator in this league. Obviously, experiences playing quarterback, coaching the quarterbacks and coordinating the offense. He’ll assist me in a bunch of areas and he will assist AVP in a bunch of areas, but day to day, he won’t be in the quarterback room.”
• Brissett is a free agent, which means for now the only quarterback on the roster other than Watson is Kellen Mond, whose NFL resume consists of three pass attempts with the Vikings in 2021. Stefanski said the Browns haven’t zeroed in on a plan for a backup quarterback yet.
Free agency begins at 4 p.m. March 15.
• The Browns and Jets will play in the Hall of Fame game on Aug 3 in Canton. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will include former Browns left tackle Joe Thomas, is Aug.
“We are very fortunate to be able to play in that game,” Stefanski said. “I think it’s an unbelievable honor to do so. It gives us an opportunity to celebrate Joe’s career.”
Starting the preseason a week early means the Browns must adjust their offseason program.
“We’ll end our offseason program a week early in June and then go back about a week early in July,” Stefanski said. “We’ll start a little bit earlier and then get the team ready for the season.”