Browns Accused of Making Major Roster Decision Behind Kevin Stefanski’s Back
The Cleveland Browns revealed what is potentially a major organizational fissure with the trade of quarterback Joe Flacco this week, which indicated that significant changes to leadership could be on the way.
Cleveland flipped the veteran signal-caller and a sixth-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday in exchange for a fifth-round selection in next year’s NFL draft. The following day, head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke to reporters and made comments that indicated the team may not have consulted him on the decision beforehand.
“Well, first I’d tell you the Joe [Flacco] trade took us by surprise. That was not something that we saw coming,” Stefanski said. “You know, they called us, and it happened very fast — and happened not too long ago. So, still working through all roster types of things.”
Browns Insiders Believe Kevin Stefanski Upset Over Team’s Decision to Trade Joe Flacco
Stefanski could also have been merely saying that the opportunity to trade Flacco for a reasonably valuable draft pick took the entire franchise by surprise. And in that context, the front office may have kept Stefanski in the loop and included him in the decision-making process from the jump.
However, that is not how Emmett Golden of ESPN Cleveland interpreted the situation when Aaron Goldhammer asked him over the radio waves Wednesday if Golden believed that Browns general manager Andrew Berry consulted Stefanski on the Flacco trade.
“No, I think he was told,” Golden said flatly. “And again, this is just what I believe, no inside knowledge to it. But I think he was told, ‘Hey, we got an offer from Cincinnati, and we’re going to take it.'”
“I fully believe that Kevin decides the depth chart, [Berry] decides the roster, and that was a roster move,” Golden continued.
Both men agreed that Stefanski “sounded bothered” by Berry’s decision to move Flacco.
Cowboys Star Called Out For ‘Terrible Lack of Effort’ in Season Opener
In the most basic sports terms, the tape don’t lie. And the truth the game tape told about Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens in a season opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was hard to stomach.
That truth the tape showed the world is that Pickens still has the same problems he had that led the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade him to the Cowboys in the first place — a terrible lack of effort that might eventually unravel a once promising career.
“Not enough effort, not enough commitment to the team,” former NFL offensive lineman and 3-time Pro Bowler Taylor Lewan said on ESPN’s “Get Up” on September 11. “(The Cowboys) need more from you when the ball’s not coming your way. There needs to be a full package of commitment from George Pickens … you’re a massively talented young man but we can’t have you jogging in run concepts. You’ve gotta be all in. I need to watch that tape and know you’re fully committed on every snap.”
Lewan Not Only Panelist Fed Up With Pickens
Lewan’s comments started a flood of criticism of Pickens, who has long been thought of as one of the NFL’s most talented but most underachieving wide receivers.
Pickens is also playing for what could be a life changing free agent contract after this season. He was a second round pick (No. 52 overall) in the 2022 NFL draft and is in the final season of his 4-year, $6.75 million rookie contract.
“We saw it with the Steelers,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said. “(Pickens) doesn’t give effort when he doesn’t have the ball … the solution isn’t going to be (head coach) Brian Schottenheimer calling him into his office to talk. It needs to be Dak Prescott talking to him and asking him if he’s really all in. The Cowboys should be getting maximum effort from Pickens. He’s looking at $25 to $30 million per year if he performs … so how hard is this to get him to show effort? In Pittsburgh he was somebody they couldn’t count on … maximum talent but the effort isn’t there.”
Frustrations With Pickens Could Boil Over Quickly
Pickens’ terrible performance against the Eagles mostly went under the radar — he had 3 receptions for 30 yards on 4 targets — mostly because of the controversy over “Spitgate” and fellow wide receiver CeeDee Lamb’s critical drops in the second half.
He’ll get no such cover moving forward — the Cowboys return home for Week 2 for another NFC East Division game against the New York Giants.
It’s hard to see the Cowboys putting up with a prolonged lack of effort from Pickens, who has a history of on-field and off-field incidents throughout his entire career.
The Ringer’s Sheil Kapadia predicted the move will backfire on the Cowboys to the point Pickens won’t even last a full season in Dallas.
“I’m like … it wouldn’t shock us is George Pickens is off the roster by Thanksgiving,” Kapadia said on The Ringer NFL Show on August 18. “I mean, everything is in play with that guy.”
