The Cleveland Browns inked head coach Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry to extensions on Wednesday, marking an important organizational step forward. Stefanski and Berry are linked together, entering the organization at the same time and working collaboratively to bring success to a franchise starved for a winner. The acquisition of quarterback Deshaun Watson had them on unsteady ground a year ago, but they have proven their worth in leading the Browns forward regardless of Watson's play.
They have a 37-30 overall record in four seasons and earned a berth in the NFL postseason with two 11-win campaigns. Since the Browns returned to Cleveland in 1999, they had only made the playoffs one other time. Stefanski has made it all about the work and preparation, as his even-keeled demeanor paid dividends when his team was decimated with injuries in 2023. He is a steady presence, and his "one week at a time" mantra rang true with his players as they overcame tremendous setbacks to earn a trip to the postseason with starting five different quarterbacks. That unending resilience earned him his second "Coach of the Year" award in four years.
Berry has lived up to his end of the bargain by constructing a roster loaded with talent while innovatively managing the salary cap to allow for maximum spending. He has used the trade market to add proven veteran players like Amari Cooper and Za'Darius Smith, showcasing his ability to make strategic decisions that benefit the team's long-term success.
Berry is highly regarded among his peers and most around the NFL. However, the national media has not recognized him that way due to his unprecedented trade for Watson. Berry and the Browns won the Watson sweepstakes with a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
Two seasons into the Watson deal, he has played in 12 games. He served an 11-game suspension in 2022 and suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023. He has shown flashes of quality play, but his inability to remain on the field for many games has prevented him from playing consistently good football.
While the Browns overcame Watson's injury last season to make the playoffs, big questions about Watson remain at the forefront of the team's future conversations. Berry is consistently down in general manager rankings due to the Watson trade. While the team's success earned him an extension on Wednesday, some will only measure his success based on the outcome of the controversial Watson move.
The extensions to Berry and Stefanski signify organizational stability, although the freshly inked contracts don't necessarily guarantee job security. Coaches and general managers are often fired while under contract in the NFL. The question is if Berry will survive being tied to the Watson deal if things don't work out. In a scenario where Watson fails to live up to his contract and the Browns are forced to move on, what happens to Berry and Stefanski?
The Browns went 8-9 with a banged-up Baker Mayfield in 2021, which prompted the trade for Watson. The Browns felt they had to get better at the quarterback position to reach the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl, and the opportunity to acquire a franchise quarterback via trade is not a common occurrence, so they took their swing. Watson played six games at the end of the 2022 season, and the Browns finished 7-10 despite fielding a highly talented roster.
Coming off of 7-10 and heading into last season, the narrative was that Stefanski needed to find a way to get the best out of Watson, or he and Berry could be on the hot seat. However, their role's in winning 11 games and making the postseason changed that thinking, or certainly should have.
If Watson were to play poorly or fail to remain healthy in the upcoming season, national pundits are likely to lay that failure at Berry's feet, and to a certain degree, where else would you lay it? However, what and who the Browns value is likely to have shifted within the building.
2024 Season Looms Large
If Watson can maintain his health and perform at a high level, the Browns are likely to continue with him as their quarterback. In this scenario, Stefanski and Berry would focus on making the necessary adjustments for the 2025 season, aiming to build on the team's recent successes.
If Watson struggles or can't stay healthy, the Browns will face a difficult decision. They are likely stuck with Watson for the duration of his deal but would need to begin looking for other options. This is the worst-case scenario, but the team cannot afford to waste the prime seasons of their star players.
Just a year ago, it was on Stefanski and Berry to make it work for Watson, and to some degree, it still is. However, the job done by both Berry and Stefanski has proven they are the right people in charge, a sentiment confirmed this week in the form of their new contracts. The more valuable asset has shifted from Watson to Berry and Stefanski.
No longer should Berry be shown the door for what some will frame as a one of the worst trades ever. Berry is at the top of his profession, and with the talent he has accumulated, Stefanski has proven he can lead a team through difficult setbacks and win with any number of quarterbacks.
Although still tied to Watson and the decision to trade for him, Berry is even more important to the team's future if the Watson deal is deemed a bust. If faced with transitioning from Watson to a new quarterback, Berry and Stefanski would continue to work together to bring the Browns a Super Bowl.
Stefanski has distinguished himself as a head coach and leader, while Berry's expertise in capology has allowed him to build an impressive roster. Their systems are in place, positioning the Browns for the future. The Watson deal could unfold in various ways, and in the worst-case scenario, it could serve as a learning moment for Berry rather than his downfall. The ability of Berry and Stefanski to steer the Browns in the right direction has become evident, transcending any missteps regarding the Watson deal.
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