Browns Settle Week 2 Kicker Decision - Kevin Stefanski Confirms
Despite missing two kicks in their loss against the Bengals, head coach Kevin Stefanski says Andre Szmyt will be the starter.
The Cleveland Browns came out of Week 1 with a 17-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, but things could have been different if they had made a few more of their kicks. That's where Andre Szmyt comes in, as the kicker missed an extra point and a field goal in the loss.
With that kind of loss, some teams look to make changes at the position, and after the game, head coach Kevin Stefanski said he wasn't there yet when it came to bringing in competition.
“I’m not there,” Stefanski said. “You know, like most type of things. You know, points are at premium obviously. So that’s frustrating. Andre’s had a really good camp. He’s done a nice job for us. So I’m not there.”
Well, Stefanski doubled down on that notion days later and confirmed that Szmyt will be the kicker for Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens, according to The Athletic's Zac Jackson.
“Just like any young player, he'll continue to get better,” Stefanski said.
Szmyt has the opportunity to turn the narrative around in Week 2, and Stefanski seems to believe in him doing so. If Szmyt doesn't take advantage of his chance then, it would not be a surprise to see the team bring in some competition. Football is a game of inches, and a field goal can change a lot when it comes to a win or a loss.
One thing that seems positive about Szmyt is that he knows his mistakes, and he spoke about them after the loss.
“I got to do better and I expect better out of myself,” Szmyt said. “Just try and forget about it and move on to next week.”
What's even better is that his teammates had his back.
“[T]hese guys are here for me,” Szmyt said. “I know I have to do my job and I’m going to do it the next time.”
Now, Szmyt has to go out and put the work in.
Kyle Brandt nails the one thing about Caleb Williams Bears fans all noticed
The hot takes about Caleb Williams were unbearable this offseason. Chicago Bears fans were hopeful that a strong Week 1 performance against the Minnesota Vikings would put them to an end. Unfortunately, Williams didn't have that kind of a game, even if he had his fair share of impressive moments in the Bears' 27-24 loss on Monday Night Football.
But what was absolutely undeniable was how Williams looked -- literally, his uniform -- during the game.
And before you take to social media and crucify this post as a boomer yelling at the clouds, take a listen to what NFL Network's Kyle Brandt had to say about it.
He's spot on:
"Can someone please take Caleb aside and get rid of that undershirt he wore the other night?" Brandt asked. "I have never seen this look on a starting quarterback outside of the 60s."
He didn't stop there.
"I know he goes by the beat of his own drummer, but it looks like he's dressing out of his own hamper," Brandt continued.
Brandt asked what I think was the most important question of all: Why did anyone in the Bears organization let him leave the locker room looking like that?
I get it. Williams is his own dude. And on-field attire is an opportunity, in some cases, for players to express a bit of their personality.
But, come on, man! At least have an undershirt that matches your team's colors!
It was a brutal look for Caleb Williams in Week 1. Let's hope it's the last time we see him so mismatched (and, at times, off target) for the 2025 season.
