After the Cleveland Browns fell to 2-8 on the season through this previous Sunday’s disheartening 35-14 loss on the New Orleans Saints, whispers emerged suggesting that Browns proprietor Jimmy Haslam might dismiss head coach Kevin Stefanski if the 8-2 Pittsburgh Steelers blow Cleveland out within the upcoming Thursday night time recreation held at Huntington Financial institution Subject.
Stefanski addressed such chatter whereas talking with reporters on Tuesday.
“I feel in all probability as a result of I grew up listening to [Philadelphia radio], I am sensible sufficient to not fear about exterior noise,” Stefanski mentioned, as shared by Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. “I get that is a part of this gig. That is life within the huge metropolis. My sole focus is getting this workforce able to get a win on Thursday night time. That is it.”
Each Stefanski and Browns normal supervisor Andrew Berry obtained contract extensions this previous offseason after Stefanski gained the Related Press Coach of the 12 months Award for the second time throughout his Cleveland tenure. Despite an offensive coordinator change aimed at helping Deshaun Watson regain his form, the QB was one of the league’s worst starting quarterbacks this season before he suffered a ruptured Achilles. The Browns are ranked 31st in the league with a median of 16.2 factors scored per recreation.
In the meantime, multiple media personalities famous they felt sure Browns gamers “give up” en path to surrendering 21 unanswered fourth-quarter factors towards the Saints.
“You perceive the place you might be – you may’t cover from that,” Stefanski mentioned in regards to the state of the Browns, per Spencer German of Sports activities Illustrated. “However it would not change the truth that you might have a possibility Thursday night time towards an AFC North opponent on ‘Thursday Evening Soccer,’ all of the issues that go along with that. I feel the fellows are excited for that chance.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Browns as 3.5-point underdogs towards the Steelers. Former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel presently serves as a marketing consultant with the Browns and will end the marketing campaign as Cleveland’s interim head coach if Pittsburgh cruises to a simple win in Cleveland.