Unfulfilled and optimistic are the two words that best describe the Browns on Jan. 14 as they cleaned out their lockers in Berea — unfulfilled because they lost a playoff game they thought they’d win and optimistic because they believe they have the players to be better next season.
The Browns finished the regular season 11-6 to earn the top wild-card spot in the AFC, but then they were eliminated by the AFC South champion Houston Texans, 45-14, on Jan. 13 in the first round of the playoffs.
“These days, as we know, are no fun,” Coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Just meeting with the players, it’s very abrupt when the season ends. All our guys really put in so much work and to not be playing is tough and hard for our guys and hard for us as coaches. So that’s the immediate emotions,
“And then you also have to step back and express gratitude. Because I am extremely grateful for this football team. They work like crazy. They did everything I asked them to do, really going all the way back to April and they fought for each other. I think those are a bunch of guys that care about each other and I think you saw that throughout this season.”
Kevin Stefanski is disappointed in the way the #Browns season ended, but he proud of the way the players battled. pic.twitter.com/gyMDMWvw8v
— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) January 14, 2024
Earlier, in the locker room, left guard Joel Bitonio walked to the interview area wearing a walking boot on his right foot because he suffered a high ankle sprain in the first half in Houston. He wore a metal support on the middle finger of his left hand because “a couple weeks ago, it got messed up, so I’m trying to make it so it doesn’t get stuck like that,” he said.
“It was a tough way to finish,” Bitonio said when asked about the wild-card loss. “I give all the credit to Houston.
“Obviously, the ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl, but I don’t think it diminishes what these guys did, being resilient this year and coming together. I think the culture of this team and where we’re at as a group of men, that just like being around each other, and want to win for the city of Cleveland, it’s never been higher since I’ve been here. So I think the future of that is something to look forward to.”
“We didn’t show up in the biggest game of the year,” #Browns cornerback Greg Newsome said a day after losing 45-14 to the Texans in a wildcard playoff game. pic.twitter.com/iKR83Z8FQC
— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) January 14, 2024
Cornerback Greg Newsome II said the loss to the Texans was a learning experience. It always seems the losing team does the most learning.
“We’re definitely going to come into next season with another chip on our shoulder,” Newsome said. “I think we did a good job this season, but we didn’t show up in the biggest game. So I think we’re going to learn from this moment and it’s only going to help us in the future.”
Bitonio and Newsome are under contract with the Browns next season. Kareem Hunt is a man without a team — again.
Hunt was in the same situation last year. He was a free agent until the Browns re-signed him to a one-year contract one day after Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending knee surgery in the second game.
“I’m definitely going to test free agency and see what the right option is for me or what’s best for me and my family and everything.,” Hunt said. “But for the most part, this is always home for me. It’s Cleveland until I die, so I’m going to have a special place in my heart for them.”
The former Willoughby South star played for the Browns from 2019-22. He scored nine rushing touchdowns in the regular season and then scored one on the ground and one on a pass from Joe Flacco in the playoff game.
![By TOM WITHERS The Browns began trying to fill an unexpected vacancy on Thursday by interviewing Seattle offensive line coach Andy Dickerson to be their offensive coordinator. Dickerson previously worked in Cleveland on coach Eric Mangini’s staff in 2009-10. On Wednesday, coordinator Alex Van Pelt parted ways with the Browns after four seasons working under coach Kevin Stefanski. Van Pelt’s departure was surprising since he appeared to enjoy his time in Cleveland and was instrumental in helping the Browns make the playoffs while coping with numerous injuries on offense. It’s still not known why Van Pelt left. General manager Andrew Berry is […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP23133215495908.jpg?w=499 "By TOM WITHERS The Browns began trying to fill an unexpected vacancy on Thursday by interviewing Seattle offensive line coach Andy Dickerson to be their offensive coordinator. Dickerson previously worked in Cleveland on coach Eric Mangini’s staff in 2009-10. On Wednesday, coordinator Alex Van Pelt parted ways with the Browns after four seasons working under coach Kevin Stefanski. Van Pelt’s departure was surprising since he appeared to enjoy his time in Cleveland and was instrumental in helping the Browns make the playoffs while coping with numerous injuries on offense. It’s still not known why Van Pelt left. General manager Andrew Berry is […]")
