Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski held a press conference following the team”s 26-8 defeat against the San Francisco 49ers at Huntington Bank Field. In his remarks, he addressed various topics including the unsuccessful fourth-down attempts, the performance of quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and the impact of injuries on the team.
Stefanski opened with an update on injuries, mentioning that defensive lineman Maliek Collins is dealing with a quad injury, and further evaluations will be conducted. He emphasized the importance of playing complementary football, highlighting how poor field position contributed to the loss. “We have to play complementary football to have a chance against a good football team,” he stated. He noted that the 49ers capitalized on short drives after key mistakes, such as a muffed punt and a failed fourth-down conversion.
When asked about the decision to go for it on fourth-and-one from their own 33-yard line while leading 10-8 in the third quarter, Stefanski explained, “I felt good about the situation. There”s always risk involved, but if you believe in your plays and players, you go for it.” However, the play call, which involved a quarterback sneak by Harold Fannin Jr., did not succeed, leading to questions about whether there was confusion due to personnel changes caused by injuries.
Stefanski acknowledged that despite running the ball effectively at times, the team struggled in short-yardage situations. “I”ll have to evaluate the plays to provide a better answer,” he said regarding the failed conversions. He also confirmed that Sanders would be the starting quarterback for the upcoming game against the Tennessee Titans, expressing confidence in his development.
The head coach addressed the impact of injuries on the offensive line, stating, “It”s part of the game, and we don”t like it, but we have to deal with it.” He rotated players like Teven Jenkins to get them experience, although he noted it was due to previous injuries rather than a change in strategy.
Stefanski also touched on the special teams” performance, mentioning mistakes made by younger players and the need for continued coaching. He lauded Sanders for a well-executed touchdown pass to Fannin, indicating that they had been waiting for the right moment to utilize that play.
In response to a question about the defense, he expressed disappointment about the team putting them in difficult positions. “You can”t put a good team on a short field that many times,” he remarked. He also acknowledged the challenges posed by the windy conditions during the game, which likely affected the passing game.
As the season progresses, Stefanski”s focus remains on improving the team”s performance and putting players in positions to succeed. “Losing is always disappointing,” he concluded, reflecting on the hard work and dedication of the players.
