Cleveland fell to the San Francisco 49ers, 26-8, and the special teams unit was at the center of the problem again. Rookie Gage Larvadain muffed a punt, the Browns gave up a 66-yard return, and Malachi Corley accidentally downed a kick at the five-yard line. These errors were not the only reason the Browns lost, but they played a large part in the defeat.

The 49ers' loss also felt like another chapter in a long list of special teams issues that have shown up all season. In Week 1, they missed a field goal and an extra point, and in Week 2, a punt was blocked. The problems continued in Week 4 with a punt return touchdown and in Week 10 with both a punt and a kick return touchdown allowed. Yet, the HC isn't ready to throw his players under the bus.

Kevin Stefanski Expressed Faith in the Team

Because of these repeated mistakes, the Browns now rank as the fourth-worst special teams unit in the NFL. Many fans are surprised that there have not been any major changes to the group. The team still has the same kicker, the same punter, and the same returners that they had in Week 1.

For now, the Browns are choosing to stay patient with him. Head coach Kevin Stefanski continues to stand behind both Ventrone and the special teams unit. "I have a ton of faith in our special teams. We have to be better, that’s the case. There are ways that we can try to be better. We’ll continue to coach our guys hard; we’ll continue to give them the techniques to use," Stefanski said.

Special Teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone backed up the coach's words. “It feels like I have the support of the head coach, GM, and the ownership,” Ventrone said. “Those guys have been very supportive. I think they definitely understand that we've lost guys in training camp.” His message remained the same during his Thursday press conference.

Ventrone also supported the decision to keep Gage Larvadain as the team’s main punt returner. “I think, for what our roster looks like, Gage is the best option,” he added. Larvadain has shown he can make big plays, with 16 returns for 142 yards and a long of 44 yards. But he has also made some mistakes, and those moments have stood out.

Now, the Browns will face the Tennessee Titans at home on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 1:00 p.m. The team hopes this will be a chance to fix their special teams problems. The Titans have struggled this year, but the Browns know they cannot relax. After so many special teams mistakes, fans are now wondering one thing: Will this be the week the Browns finally clean things up, or will the same issues return?

Written by

Mohd Mudabbir Ansari

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi