Browns’ Kevin Stefanski hopes for ‘closure’ in Baker Mayfield situation

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on Monday mentioned he was hopeful that the continuing saga between the workforce and quarterback Baker Mayfield may resolve quickly. 

“I believe we’ll see,” Stefanski mentioned on the NFL house owners’ conferences in Palm Seaside, Florida. “I believe everyone understands the scenario. We’re hoping that there is closure to it in some unspecified time in the future.”

His feedback come as Mayfield remained on the Browns roster Monday, roughly 10 days after the workforce traded for former Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who agreed to a five-year, $230 million contract.

Mayfield has been the Browns’ quarterback since his rookie season after the workforce chosen him No. 1 general within the 2018 NFL Draft. This month, Mayfield thanked Cleveland followers in a message on social media, and his assured full base wage of 18.858 million in 2022, is probably going impacting commerce efforts. 

On Monday, Stefanski known as the scenario “distinctive.”

“We have got to see the way it performs out,” the coach mentioned. “I consider all of us would love a solution yesterday, however that is not the truth of it.”

Stefanski mentioned he expects Watson — who nonetheless faces 22 civil lawsuits over sexual assault allegations — to take part totally within the Browns’ offseason program starting April 18. 

Cleveland Browns common supervisor Andrew Berry, left, new quarterback Deshaun Watson, middle, and head coach Kevin Stefanski pose for a photograph throughout a information convention on the NFL soccer workforce’s coaching facility, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. 
(AP Photograph/Ron Schwane)

He mentioned the workforce has been welcoming of Watson regardless of his off-the-field points and the coach famous he’ll strive and ensure these points do not distract the workforce. 

“I believe that’s necessary for our gamers, coaches and our constructing usually,’’ Stefanski mentioned, in line with the Cleveland Plain-Supplier. “We perceive that there are questions, and we’re going to proceed to have that dialogue. However on the finish of the day, we even have our work to do. We have now to give attention to that. … You must be current and be the place your toes are. That can actually be our strategy to every part.”

The Browns acquired backlash from the followers after hiring Watson, and the coach mentioned the workforce has tried to be “understanding of everyone’s viewpoint.”

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“I wish to simply guarantee that I’m obtainable in our constructing to everybody to speak via as a result of it’s not one thing that was taken frivolously,” the coach added. “It’s simply too necessary. I wished to guarantee that everyone understood that that is one thing that took weeks, months, weeks of gathering info, of discussions, and conversations. It’s not one thing we may take frivolously.”

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield walks to the locker room after the Browns defeated the Detroit Lions 13-10 in an NFL soccer sport, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Cleveland.
(AP Photograph/David Richard)

Mayfield battled a shoulder damage final season as he began 14 video games and threw for simply 3,010 yards and 17 touchdowns, the bottom totals in his profession. 

In 2020, Mayfield led the Browns to the playoffs for the primary time since 2002, throwing for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions.