Browns head coach Was suprice How HIS Player…
Head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kevin Stefanski, has seen a lot of quarterbacks up close in the 2023 campaign.
According to NFL Research, his Browns became, along with the Chicago Bears of 1984, the only teams since 1950 to enter the playoffs in a season in which they started five quarterbacks.
However, despite Cleveland’s recent victory over the Houston Texans, Stefanski has only seen rookie star C.J. Stroud on tape. When the No. 5 Browns take on the fourth-seeded Houston Texans on Saturday to begin Super Wild Card Weekend, he will have his first opportunity to witness the team in person.
Stefanski is impressed thus far.
According to a team transcript on Tuesday, Stefanski described the Ohio State product as “awesome.” “I recall seeing him in the early days. because we were preparing to play Baltimore and we had some crossover tape. I believe that was the first game he played in, and even in that one, you could have seen plays and throws that immediately showed off the kid’s extraordinary talent. He’s a really talented young kid, and from what I understand, the state of Ohio has watched him play a lot. As coaches, we always seem to go back to the tape. Additionally, he has some excellent tape.”
Due to Stroud’s concussion, Davis Mills started the Houston team’s 36-22 loss to Cleveland in Week 16. As a result, not only will Stefanski see Stroud up close for the first time, but Joe Flacco will also play against the youngster.
The 38-year-old Flacco is coming off the bench to lead the Browns to the postseason and a game against the 22-year-old rookie Stroud, making it an intriguing battle.
In 15 games this season, Stroud has led the Texans to an AFC South title and a postseason trip for the first time since 2019. He has also thrown for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.
With 273.9 yards per game, Stroud ranks second in NFL history and second this season among rookies.
Taking on the NFL’s top pass and total defense, the Browns present a formidable challenge for him.
The opposing coach in his first NFL playoff game was among those who have expressed admiration for him thus far. Saturday will reveal how long his incredible rookie season will last.
