Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (1.4.23)
Opening statement:
“Goes without saying, tough couple of days for everybody. My thoughts, my prayers, our team’s thoughts and our team’s prayers are with (Bills S) Damar (Hamlin) and his family. His family, his football family, (Bills Head Coach) Coach (Sean) McDermott, (Bills defensive coordinator/assistant head coach) Coach (Leslie) Frazier and his teammates, just thinking about all those guys. Sending our best wishes and sending our prayers to them because that is what we can do right now. Our players are all processing it and I think all of us are in different ways. We have people here for them should they need anybody to talk to. Again, tough, tough times for this young man, and we are obviously pulling for him.
“With that, have to transition to doing our job, and our job this week is playing on the road at a good football team. Well coached. Bunch of good players. A team we know well, a division opponent and all of that. We know we have our work cut out for us so that is what this week is about having our best work week, and that is where our focus is.”
On balancing Browns players and staff processing Hamlin’s situation and turning the page to focus on this week’s game:
“It is hard. I don’t know that there is a right answer to that. I think giving guys space, giving guys a forum and giving them an opportunity and letting them know that there are people who will listen, including me, whomever else and professionals, but we are also here to work.”
On if he has talked with McDermott or Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor since Monday night:
“I have not.”
On if he has thought about how he would have handled a situation like Monday night’s as a head coach in that position:
“I think all of us do. Not surprised that Zac and Sean were how they were. Those are two unbelievable people. I mentioned Coach Frazier is there as a defensive coordinator. I saw Leslie in this. That is who those guys are.”
On if he was watching the Bills-Bengals game live on Monday night:
“I was not.”
On if any Browns players have told the team they are unsure if they are ready to practice following Monday night’s situation:
“No.”
On if the team had an open discussion about Hamlin’s situation:
“I have talked individually to a bunch of guys. I of course opened it up to anybody who wants to talk. I think the biggest thing is making sure that there are professionals here. We are blessed to have people here every single day so we have the resources here.”
On his overarching message to the players:
“Again, I think everybody processes this a little bit differently. Everything about this is just praying for this young man and for his family. That is what we can do. That is what we are doing.”
On the importance of having people and resources in place to help Browns players cope with mentally challenging circumstances:
“We let them know very early on that there were people who were available.
On the approach to checking in with Browns players about how they are feeling, understanding players process situations like these differently whether it be wanting to talk one on one, talk as a group or personally process it on their own:
“I think to your point, it is just being available. They know where my office is. They know their coaches are here for them. I think the entire NFL world is processing and working through this, all of sports and all of us I am sure. Just being available.”
On Hamlin’s situation serving as a reminder how vulnerable and susceptible NFL players can be:
“It is hard because I don’t want to get specific to this situation. I want to be respectful of this situation. Again, our players, they know how I feel about them and how they battle.”
On the outpouring of support for Hamlin, including the GoFundMe reaching over $6M:
“It is the human spirit. I think it is a great reminder that… You don’t need to hear it from me. Obviously, there are plenty of people who have spoken about this eloquently. It is impressive to watch.”
On the challenges of have tough conversations with the team about Hamlin’s situation while also then needing to discuss the gameplan and prepare for this week’s game:
“Again, I don’t know that there is a right way to do all of that. First and foremost, you just are respectful of the situation. Every single one of us is thinking about this young man and his family. Then we are also going to do our job, and it doesn’t mean we are going to stop thinking about that.”
On stating it crossed his mind how he might respond in Monday night’s situation as a coach and if he has done the same from a father’s point of view:
“It is hard. I just think perspective is a thing that we all need in our lives.”
On if the Browns have made any adjustments to this week’s practice schedule:
“We are doing exactly what we did last week so no.”
On if there is any uncertainty about whether or not the game will be played on Sunday:
“No one has told me that. I am sure the appropriate people discuss those things, but I expect to play Sunday.”
On the sense of brotherhood across the NFL and within locker rooms being a topic of discussion following the response to Hamlin’s situation:
“I have certainly seen that. These guys spend a lot of time together. It is the ‘blood, sweat and tears’ and it is all of that. This locker room is very close, and then across locker rooms and the NFL, they really do a great job the players of banding together, sharing with each other and making sure you have the support of the entire league.”
On if things will ‘get more back to normal’ after today:
“I don’t know. Our focus is on the personal aspect of this – this young man who is battling and his family. We will worry about today.”
On Steelers QB Kenny Pickett:
“A very good young player. Athletic. Can make all of the throws. Has played well in big moments. They are a little bit different than the last time we played them because he is just a little bit different. A really, really good young player.”
On expectations for T Jack Conklin and CB Denzel Ward this week after being listed as DNPs on the pre-practice injury report:
“We will see. Not ruling either one out. We will see how the week goes. Hard to say.”
On if Ward sustained the shoulder injury when taking on a block last week:
“I don’t know. I am not sure.”
On LB Reggie Ragland’s contributions to the Browns, including with Ragland’s size when facing Steelers RB Najee Harris this week:
“As you see, Reggie does bring that element to the game. You saw it on display this past Sunday. He is a physical football player. We know when you are playing the Steelers it is a physical football game. They do a nice job in the run game – big, physical running backs and a varied scheme. You expect that you are going to have to play a very physical 60-minute game.”
On if after the season the Browns will evaluate whether or not to add LBs with more size like Ragland:
“To your point, yes, those are all things that you think about after the season. I will tell you, Reggie has brought just a good spirit to the locker room having him around the building. I think he is a good football and excited to have him but also nice to have a veteran and a guy who has kind of been around and seen some different things. He has fit in very will with our locker room.”
On indications from game film about the Steelers resiliency in recent weeks to go on a winning streak and be in position to potentially make the playoffs:
“They have done a nice job. They play good complementary football. Just looking at them across the board, offensively I think they are playing really well. I think the young quarterback is doing a nice job. They have playmakers on the perimeter, tight ends, running backs and you name it. Defensively, Watt is back, and he looks the same to me. He is affecting games. I have a ton of respect for what they do from a schematic standpoint. Good football players. It is going to take a complete game to try and win this one.”
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