Browns Trade Joe Flacco Without Consulting Kevin Stefanski, Sparks Internal Tension
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.
Kevin Stefanski Now Faces Polarizing Decision Involving Shedeur Sanders, QB2 Role
Stefanski now faces a potentially awkward position with regards to rookie signal-caller Shedeur Sanders and the role of backup quarterback.
Stefanski kept Sanders at QB3 after demoting Flacco in favor of Dillon Gabriel ahead of the team’s Week 5 contest against the Minnesota Vikings in London. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network asserted that the team was trying to protect Sanders from stepping into a game for which it had tailored the offensive plans to Gabriel’s skill set rather than to Sanders’.
However, Stefanski must now make a call on promoting fourth-year veteran Bailey Zappe to QB2, who has spent all season on the practice squad to this point, or moving Sanders up the depth chart.
“With young players, I’m always thinking about last week, making the change to Dillon [Gabriel],” Stefanski said Wednesday in response to a question about whether Sanders will be Gabriel’s backup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. “You have to think long and hard about that. … So, I’ll let the week play out and make a decision later on.”
Lions attempt to sign veteran cornerback thwarted by Saints
The Detroit Lions have taken several injury hits to their defense over the last two games. With the recent injuries to cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold, the Lions are attempting to improve their depth at the position.
Reed was recently placed on IR after suffering a hamstring injury in the Lions' 34-10 win over the Cleveland Browns in week 4. Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey was also placed on IR with a wrist injury he suffered in practice.
Arnold, at first, it looked like he was going to be out for the season after being carted off with a shoulder injury in Sunday's 37-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Following further evaluation of his injury, the young cornerback could return sooner than expected.
Lions attempt to sign veteran cornerback Michael Davis
The Lions' latest effort to improve their depth at the cornerback position with the signing of veteran Michael Davis was denied by the New Orleans Saints. The Saints, who need all the help they can get with a 1-4 record, were originally intending to sign Davis to the practice squad, but extended their offer to add him to their 53-man roster.
While the Lions would be considered a better landing spot for Davis than the Saints, the veteran cornerback had a reason for choosing to play football in the Big Easy. Davis's familiarity with Brandon Staley's defense during his time with the Los Angeles Chargers ultimately won him over.
Michael Davis is signing to the #Saints’ active roster. He agreed to sign with the team’s practice squad and then the #Lions called to sign him, so up to the active roster the veteran corner goes in New Orleans.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 7, 2025
Staley is currently the defensive coordinator for the Saints, after being the coach of the Chargers from 2021 to 2023. Staley was also an assistant for the San Francisco 49ers in 2024.
As an undrafted free agent out of BYU has played nine seasons in the NFL, seven with the Chargers and one with the Washington Commanders. In his career, Davis has made 362 total tackles, eight interceptions (one pick six), and one sack.
Where do the Lions go from here?
With Davis now unavailable, the Lions will have to search elsewhere to add depth to their cornerback room. They've already added one veteran, Arthur Maulet, to their practice squad ahead of Sunday Night Football. But, the team also didn't elevate any cornerbacka from the practice squad to the active roster as of Wednesday.
This suggests they're either still waiting to see who they will bring up from the squad, or they're trusting in other defensive backs like Avonte Maddox and Amik Robertson to step up alongside Rock Ya-Sin.
