Kevin Stefanski talked to the media before the Browns prepare for the game against the Bills on December 21st. Here's the top takeaways.

More clarity on Deshaun Watson next week

A reporter asked Kevin Stefanski if Deshaun Watson will finish his season on IR or if he will be activated. “Yeah, I think we’ll make that decision when the window closes up, which I think is next week,” he answered.

Watson returned to practice in early December after he injured his Achilles tendon last year in October and then again in January 2025.

Shedeur Sanders is moving on from the Bears game

Sanders recorded a disaster against the Bears with 18/35 for 177 yards, 3 interceptions, and 5 sacks. A reporter inquired the HC about how the team's QB1 is doing after that game. What did he see from him all week?

“Yeah, same guy every day, which is what you appreciate about quarterbacks. You’re going to have days that you want back, and the next day you’re back at it, you’re right back on the proverbial horse. And that’s who he’s been, so I’m not surprised,” Stefanski said.

Kevin Stefanski has faith in what he has in Denzel Ward’s absence

Denzel Ward has been ruled out of recent games because of a calf injury he suffered in Week 14 against the Titans. He has had 29 solo tackles, 9 assists, and 1 interception in 13 games this season. It's a big loss for the Browns. Mary Kay of Celveland.com asked how difficult it is to play without him.

Stefanski said, “Yeah, as you can imagine, Mary Kay (Cabot), you want all your guys at the game – not realistic in December football. So, he’s trying real hard to get back, and you can’t rush those types of things, but we trust the guys that are out there.”

Myles Garrett has fewer stats, but he has done it in difficult situations - Kevin Stefanski

A reporter raised a question of how Garrett has had lesser pass-rushing opportunities for sacks, fewer passes than some of the other guys he’s chasing for that record, like T.J. Watts, and asked for Stefanski’s opinion.

“I do think you need to look closely at those types of things and how many opportunities he’s getting, and the win rate is probably the most important thing to see when you’re talking about these things. I’ve been really proud of Myles in a lot of areas, but also as he’s working towards this goal, which is an amazing, incredible individual goal; he has not put that in front of the team’s goals. He wants to win so badly. If it can happen in a win, that’s what’s most important to him.”

Joel Bitonio has been valuable

A reporter talked about how Mike Bloomgren has tagged this the toughest season of his career, but he has also brought to attention how valuable Joel Bitonio has been in an eventful 2025. Kevin Stefanski was asked, “How much of a constant has he been to keep something in sync with them?”

He said, “Yeah, I mean, not much left to say about Joel and what he’s doing. And his level of play has been so consistent the whole time I’ve been with him, just everything he does and the way he moves and the intentionality he has and everything he does – it doesn’t happen by accident. To play this many years and to play at that high a level just doesn’t happen. I think it speaks to how he takes care of his body. I think it speaks to how he works during the week to get himself ready. But provides incredible value to this football team on and off the field.”

Bitonio has played 14 games in 2025, logging 910 offensive snaps at left guard, earning a 72.2 overall PFF grade (16th among guards), allowing just one sack with zero penalties, and posting a 73.2 pass-blocking grade and a 66.8 run-blocking grade.

What's your thought on his performance?

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Joyita Das