The Cleveland Browns are back to reevaluating their approach after a 27-20 defeat to the New York Jets in Week 10 at MetLife Stadium. Cleveland’s downfall began almost immediately, surrendering two first-quarter touchdowns on special teams.
Kene Nwangwu ran a kickoff back for a score, and Isaiah Williams followed with a punt return touchdown, putting the Browns in an early hole they never recovered from.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t hold back when discussing the breakdown.
“Yeah, obviously, not good enough,” Stefanski said. “We can be way, way better than that. Some of these big ones, you got to get the guy on the ground and limit what could be a bad return for you but get him on the ground for a gain of 20 or whatever it is.”
The Jets became the first team in league history to post touchdowns on consecutive special teams touches, intensifying scrutiny on coordinator Bubba Ventrone. Despite that, Stefanski reiterated his trust in Ventrone and his players.
“I have a ton of faith in Bubba. We have to be better—that’s the case,” he said.
Cleveland plans to stress special teams fundamentals ahead of its Week 11 matchup with the surging Baltimore Ravens.
Quarterback concerns grow as Stefanski stands firm on Dillon Gabriel
Beyond the special teams collapse, Cleveland’s quarterback situation continues to spark debate. Rookie Dillon Gabriel produced an uneven outing, finishing 17-of-32 for 167 yards and two touchdowns but faltering at crucial moments.
The loss to one of the league’s weakest teams only intensified questions about whether the Browns should give Shedeur Sanders his first NFL start.
Stefanski, however, isn’t ready to make a change.
“I don’t think it’s fair to speculate. We are committed to getting better as an offense. Dillon is committed to improving in any which way he can,” he told reporters.
He emphasized that all young players, including Sanders, are still developing behind the scenes. With the Browns far from playoff contention, calls to see Sanders on the field are growing louder.
While the coaching staff insists the rookie needs more time, continued struggles from Gabriel could force Stefanski’s hand. For now, Cleveland’s head coach finds himself defending both his special teams unit and his quarterback decisions amid mounting frustration.
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