Stefanski to miss game due to COVID-19
Amid a masked, muted celebration in the locker room after the Cleveland Browns ended the NFL’s longest playoff drought, coach Kevin Stefanski asked for a game ball and then told Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio to step forward.
Stefanski flipped the ball to Bitonio, who had survived seven long seasons, 0-16 in 2017, the Johnny Manziel mess and numerous coaching changes.
“You’re going to the playoffs, 75,” Stefanki told Bitonio.
Two days later, nothing is certain with the Browns.
Positive COVID-19 tests have knocked Stefanski, Bitonio, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge and at least two assistant coaches out of Cleveland’s wildcard game at Pittsburgh on Sunday night – the Browns’ first playoff appearance since the 2002 season.
The Browns announced Tuesday – 18 years to the day since their last playoff game – that Stefanski tested positive for the coronavirus, which has plagued the team in recent weeks and has thrown Cleveland’s plans this week into disarray for the wild-card game.
In less than 48 hours, joy for the Browns and their fans long-suffering fans was all but extinguished.
“Very sad,” Browns center and NFLPA President JC Tretter said. “It’s really unfortunate.”
Now, after beating the Steelers last Sunday to make the playoff field, the Browns are implementing contingency plans drawn up when the pandemic began.
Stefanski, who in his first year returned the Browns to respectability, can only coach virtually from home this week. He’ll be replaced by special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, and the
Browns will have to make other staff adjustments as tight ends coach Drew Petzing and defensive backs coach Jeff Howard are also out.
Falcons interview Bieniemy, Saleh: The Atlanta Falcons accelerated their search for a new coach on the first day of their offseason by interviewing Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
Falcons interim coach Raheem Morris interviewed Friday. The team was 4-7 under Morris, completing a 4-12 season after coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff were fired following an 0-5 start.
The Falcons closed the season just as they started, with five consecutive defeats. They set a season high for points allowed in Sunday’s 44-27 loss at Tampa Bay.
Bieniemy and Saleh also are being pursued by other teams with openings.
The defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs led the NFL in total yards and yards passing and ranked second in scoring, making Bieniemy, the former NFL running back, an attractive target for teams seeking new leadership.
Giants reward Graham: New York Giants defensive coordinator Pat Graham is staying put.
The Giants announced that Graham has signed a contract extension to remain as Joe Judge’s defensive coordinator. He is adding the title assistant head coach.
The Giants defense improved markedly this past season and Graham reportedly was being considered for the vacant head coaching job with the Jets.
Lombardi’s daughter dies: Susan Lombardi, daughter of legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi, died Dec. 30, at age 73 in Atlantic Beach, Florida.