Select Browns Players (12.28.25)
G Joel Bitonio
Do you soak it in a little more, just in case this was your last home game in Cleveland?
“Yeah, I’m thankful every time I get to play this game. Just walking off the field, you take in the moment just in case. You never know what the future is going to hold. There’s retirement, there’s free agency – you know, I’ve never done that in my life. There is so much stuff that goes into it. I’ll take it in and I appreciate the win. I’m happy we finished this year with a win at home versus Pittsburgh.”
Joel, when you get to this point in the year, fans are thinking about draft position. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski alluded to that big-picture, you can talk about that later, but now, we’re still focused on a division opponent. Can you explain why, even in a lost season like this, it’s important to get a win like this, this late in the season?
“I’ll tell you what, I do not blame the fans for thinking about the future. But as players in this locker room, every time you go on the field, it’s a resume. This is a real sport. This is the NFL. You have to put your best foot forward when you go out there. You have to compete. For this team, there are a lot of young guys – you look at (LB) Carson (Schwesinger), (DT) Mason (Graham), (QB) Shedeur (Sanders), (RB) Dylan Sampson, (TE) Harold Fannin Jr. with that touchdown catch. These guys are trying to build a culture for the future, and to go out there and be like ‘we’re going to lose our last couple of games for a better draft pick…’, it would never cross a player’s mind. Maybe the fans want to have some fan-fiction, maybe upstairs is hoping or something like that, but I know the players and coaches fight for every win and every time you go on the field, it’s a resume builder.”
S Grant Delpit
To finish up the home part of the schedule with a win over a rival, with everything that’s gone on this year, how did this one feel walking off the field?
“It feels great. Good one for us and good for the fans. The stadium was rocking, man. It’s insane that we had three wins going into our last game of the season and for the stadium to still sound like that, it says a lot about the Cleveland fans and the Dawg Pound. We got them one.”
Were you surprised (DE) Myles (Garrett) didn’t get that sack?
“Surprised? You know, we play every play as hard as we can. The crowd sure wanted him to get it, and I thought it was already written. He’ll get it next week and we’re going to celebrate in Cincy.”
You guys were really trying to get him (DE Myles Garrett) it, moving him around a lot on the line, but it seemed like the Steelers were getting the ball out quicker than they normally do.
“They chipped him, they had two people on him (DE Myles Garrett) every play. They throw the ball in 0.5 seconds, so Myles is going to have to learn to fly if he wants to get that sack against that team.”
How important is it for you guys next week to finish the season strong with a win and carry over this momentum or a good taste in your mouth against Cincinnati?
“Yeah, you know, you want to win every game, especially the last one of the season. Two wins, going into the offseason will feel pretty good and keep the ball rolling. It’s two teams that are in our division that are our rivals, so wouldn’t want to play nobody else.”
Did you think that you guys did a better job today of handling the quick game stuff?
“Yeah, I think we did a good job. Shoot, six points. That’s a good job to me.”
DT Shelby Harris
What you guys did out there today, is that the equivalent of pitching a perfect game?
“We got the win. That’s the most important part about it. I think a big deal we made of it was that we’re not going to let them clinch at our house. They’re not going to come to Cleveland wearing AFC North Division Champions hats after the game – none of that. We took that to heart and we went out there and dominated. That’s what we expect.”
To close out the season at home with a win, how meaningful is that?
“It’s great. We set the franchise record for sacks in a season. Myles is on his way to do his thing. Obviously, the season didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but we’re not quitting. We go out there, we have a lot to fight for still. Every year, it could be someone’s last in this league. You’re not in a position to take it easy in any games. You got to go out there and put your best foot forward every week. It starts again next week against the Bengals.”
With Denzel getting targeted three straight plays, with the game on the line, how comfortable are you on defense to have the Pro Bowler there?
“That was their decision. I’m not throwing it at Denzel, but if they thought that was their best matchup, good for them. It didn’t work out. That’s why we have it – if you’re going to try him and don’t think he’s going to be up for the challenge, he’ll prove you wrong every time.”
Myles said it seems that they were more worried about the sack record than winning the game, do you agree?
“Yes – that’s how it’s felt the last couple of weeks. Everyone is more worried about the record, but obviously we had to do some different things and really focus on trying to stop the run. Not letting that be an issue. Trying to force them to throw the ball, but yes, teams aren’t just going to let us pass rush, so we got to force them to. I guess we did a little better job of that this week, and we have to do a better job of that next week.”
TE Harold Fannin Jr.
What happened on your end of the play and what did you have to do to make it?
“I didn’t really think too much about it. I just saw the ball there and adjusted to grab it. I’m thankful that 12 (QB Sheduer Sanders) put it up there for me to grab it.”
RB Dylan Sampson
How much do you guys love playing hard for Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and putting it all out on the line?
“Like you said, you dig deep and you realize why you play this game. Play if for the people you’ve been through it with, play for your brothers, so it’s about what you care about. If you care about it enough, you go out there and give it your all.”
What is it about Kevin that he’s able to connect with you guys and keep the locker room, despite everything that has gone on?
“I think it’s a hard job for any head coach to do. Week after week, loss after loss – it’s a long season. It’s not an easy job to try and keep a team together, a locker room together. I think the mindset has been instilled since camp, we didn’t get the season we want, the results we want. It just goes back to how we are built.”
K Andre Szmyt
Andre, how did it feel out there to be a big part of this win?
“It feels good getting the win, first of all. It feels good to be with the guys (LS) Rex (Sunahara), (P) Corey (Bojorquez), it’s an amazing feeling to get the win.”
You were able to make some kicks, Pittsburgh struggled – what were some of the challenges they were facing?
“I can only speak for myself. But sticking with my process. Trying to figure out what the wind was doing pregame. Having that experience here and having games under my belt, you kind of know what the weather app is going to say, you kind of know what to expect. Just stacking weeks like that, week after week, helping me progress.”
You had some early season challenges, but you dedicated yourself to work through that. How does it feel to be so successful this season and close out your home season with a win?
“It feels great. I think we came such a long way – developing and I have such a great group around me. Guys like Head Coach Kevin (Stefanski) and Rex, Corey, everybody is supportive and have been there for me. It means a lot.”
CB Denzel Ward
Were you worried about contact at all on that last play?
“No, I thought I was in great position. I was able to get the ball out.”
Is that the dream scenario for a Cornerback with the game on the line?
“Oh yeah, I wish I would have got that interception on the play before, but I was just glad to be able to help my team finish it off and get a win.”
You came up grabbing your arm, what happened there?
“When I was diving for the ball on the interception, I fell on my shoulder, so the shoulder was a little sore. I’ll be alright.”
Denzel, is it hard to stay mentally sharp when they don’t test you for 58 minutes?
“Yeah, like I said, I try to stay locked in the whole game. I know teams aren’t going to come at me and try me too much, but just being ready for my moment whenever they do decide, I just take a lot of pride in being that guy to be a playmaker on the team and know I’m going to make the play once it does come.”
It’s been such a tough season, what inspired you guys to play so hard today?
“We still got games on the table. Still have a lot to play for, even though we aren’t making the playoffs. Still trying to get wins for this city and for our team, so we’ll always go out there and fight every time.”
DE Alex Wright
Was (QB) Aaron Rodgers frustrated today?
“Oh he (QB Aaron Rodgers) was. He was out there cussing up a storm, upset about whatever he and the coaches had going on over there. This is the first time since the last game that I’ve seen him that flustered. Other than that, he did what he could, and their offense did what they could. We did a good job as a defense today, you know, we let some slip through the cracks, but that’s football. At the end of the day, glad we came out with the W.”
How crazy was it to see (CB) Denzel (Ward) get targeted three straight times in a game winning situation?
“I don’t know what their game plan was, but when you try an All-Pro corner that’s the type of result that’s going to happen. Even if he (QB Aaron Rodgers) tried TC (CB Tyson Campbell) I trusted that he was going to break the play up. But the fact that you tried 21 (CB Denzel Ward), he got a lot of balls, so it is what it is.”
Did (DE) Myles (Garrett) give you a hard time on that one sack you had?
“No, the thing with (DE) Myles (Garrett) that people fail to understand is that he wants us to get ours, just as much as we want him to get his. Myles is the type of person that says you have an opportunity, you take advantage of that opportunity. Even if he doesn’t get the sack, you go make your plays and make yourself known.”
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