The Cleveland Browns have signed head coach Kevin Stefanski and common supervisor Andrew Berry to contract extensions, the staff introduced Wednesday, retaining the decision-making duo that has guided the franchise because the 2020 season.
The lengths of the brand new offers weren’t introduced.
In Stefanski and Berry, the Browns have discovered the coach-GM pairing the franchise has longed for since returning to the NFL in 1999. Since 2020, the Browns have the best successful share (.552) for the staff over a four-year stretch since 1986 to ’89.
Throughout the NFL’s league conferences in Orlando, Florida, in March, Browns house owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam stated they have been near signing Stefanski and Berry to extensions.
“We’re extremely lucky to have Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry main the Cleveland Browns,” the Haslems stated in an announcement. “Because the day they have been employed, every has labored tirelessly to assist the Cleveland Browns win. We’re happy with what they and the staff have achieved, however Kevin and Andrew can be the primary to say that Browns followers deserve much more. Their management, collaborative strategy, and talent to beat obstacles bode nicely for the way forward for this franchise.
“Final season was a primary instance. Regardless of going through a number of participant accidents and utilizing 5 completely different beginning quarterbacks, Andrew and his employees constructed a roster that tailored nicely, whereas Kevin and his employees led the staff to its second playoff look in 4 years, incomes Coach of the Yr honors for the second time in that interval. They’re two of the brightest individuals we all know, and selfless individuals who solely care about what’s finest for the Cleveland Browns. We’re thrilled that Kevin and Andrew will stay with the staff for the longer term.”
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Since 2020, the Browns have a 37-30 file within the common season and have reached the playoffs twice, in 2020 after which in 2023. This previous season, Stefanski guided Cleveland to the postseason regardless of myriad accidents to a number of key gamers, together with season-ending accidents to quarterback Deshaun Watson and operating again Nick Chubb.
Stefanski acquired AP Coach of the Yr honors in 2020 and 2023.
Berry has executed a number of shrewd strikes to accumulate expertise, together with getting broad receiver Amari Cooper for a 2021 fifth-round decide and decide swap. However the tenure for him and Stefanski will in the end be judged by the play of Watson after the staff packaged three first-round picks to commerce for him earlier than the 2022 season. The franchise subsequently gave Watson a five-year contract extension price an NFL-record $230 million absolutely assured.
Watson has solely performed in 12 video games with the Browns due to final yr’s shoulder surgical procedure and his 2022 suspension for violating the NFL’s private conduct coverage after greater than two dozen ladies accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct throughout therapeutic massage periods.
Watson, a three-time Professional Bowl choice throughout his first 4 seasons with the Houston Texans, has posted a 41.9 QBR since making his debut with the Browns, the sixth-worst mark in that timeframe.
Watson has been throwing each different day and has been restricted in OTAs as he adheres to a rehab plan. Berry stated he expects Watson to be prepared for the season opener.