Kevin Stefanski - Head Coach, falcons Event: Press Conference | Date: 2026-08-07 | Full transcript (primary source).
On August 7, 2026, Cleveland Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the media in a press conference, discussing the impact of injuries on the team, particularly focusing on player Jalen's recent setback. The conference took place as the Browns prepared for the upcoming season, highlighting their strategies for managing player availability and maintaining a competitive practice environment.
Transcript
Stefanski: First things first, obviously injuries are the worst part of our game. Nobody likes them. I don't like them, players don't like them. But we also recognize they are part of the game. So to see Jalen go down and it's disappointing and frustrating for him. But I know what he's made of, he will bounce back. He's got the right attitude, so disappointed, but he will be back. And then in the interim, like any injury with any player or a player being unavailable for any reason, we just got to make sure that we have a plan defensively to move guys around and those type of things. And we will work through that over the course of the next days and weeks.
Reporter: Will Jesse Bates be a practice today?
Stefanski: Yes.
Reporter: You're doing some live tackling on Wednesday. Is that something that you typically do? Is it something you wanted to do, particularly?
Stefanski: I've done it over the years. My first NFL practice, 2005, up at Lehigh University, Andy Reid. Practice first day. There's Brian Dawkins tackling Brian Westbrook on the first day of practice. So I know how it's been over the years. I also know the rules and what they are. And I respect them and we will always do what is safe for our players. We will never do something that's unsafe. So I think there's a way to work hard. I think there's a way to work smart. And I think there's a way to practice live because that's what the game is. And I think there's a way to do it safely. And I think you saw that the other day. We'll continue to do that throughout this camp. And I think the guys understand how to do that the right way.
Reporter: You're still not taking a shot, quote unquote, on one of your teammates. You wouldn't take a cheap shot type of thing.
Stefanski: But like I've said before, to get ready to play football, you have to play football.
Reporter: He was an injury for Jesse Bates here. Jesse's dealing with a minor back thing that he's working through. Not long term.
Stefanski: Harold looks like he's acclimated well. How much do you think he can play right away this year? Remains to be seen. I think for any rookie, we're only however many days into this thing. So I think it's important that they keep the main thing. The main thing, I think Perk's doing a nice job of that. And then it's about earning roles. And like I've told you guys, we're not there yet. We're not handing out jobs just yet. So he's earning more reps. And then see if you can earn a role doing this. And it's the classic type of thing. The more you can do for a football team. If you can play special teams, it's a great bonus for a roster. And if you can have multiple jobs, you're not just in one position or you're not pigeonholed into one position, that gives us as a football team versatility along the roster. So I think Perk is earning those type of roles. But certainly he's not there yet.
Reporter: How unique is he?
Stefanski: He's not a huge guy, but his rush ability is really impressive. And he's kind of been using that already. It would appear. So I mean, how rare is it for a guy who's not really that big to be as skilled as he is in that regard as a rusher?
Stefanski: I think he's pretty big. Yeah, I think all shapes and sizes. And we'll use guys based on their ability. And I've been around plenty of guys that don't have the quote unquote exact measurements that you think you want at height or length and those type of things. But he's plenty big. He's plenty fast, plenty strong. And he's got the right attitude. And we'll keep bringing him along based on what he earns over the course of these weeks.
Reporter: Evan, as you go towards the first preseason game, I know you said you earlier didn't have a timeline yet for Mike. If he's not cleared for practices, I mean, he can't play in the first preseason game?
Stefanski: Correct.
Reporter: Cass Jones has taken ruts with the wide receivers and running backs. Where have you seen him take the biggest step since working minicamp?
Stefanski: I think Cash, very early on, you realized is an intelligent football player and playing wide receiver and running back. That really what we're doing there is testing his limits of what he can handle mentally and he passed all those. So we'll continue to bring him along and find a role for him, speaking of roles. And that's also special teams involved. And I think the blurring of positional lines is really NFL. You have tight ends that can line up a wide receiver and you have running backs that can line up in the slot. So I think it's important when you have guys that can do both, you try to utilize them as best you can based on their skill sets.
Reporter: What do you get to where you start looking at the playing time for guys in this first preseason game? And I know you don't have the depth, so I appreciate it. Obviously, we've talked about it, have a plan there.
Stefanski: It's in pencil. We'll circle up as a staff and myself with Ian and Matt as well and go through the entire roster and talk through our plan. But that'll be more into next week when we solidify that plan.
Reporter: Kevin, Mike Hughes had a past breakups earlier. What have you seen from him so far?
Stefanski: Mike's done a very nice job, has had multiple moments out there that are high level IQ type moments. And obviously, Mike's physical skills are real in terms of his ability to cover. So been impressed with Mike. I know Mike had been around Mike, I know what he's about, but I think he's still doing it at a high level.
Reporter: A couple of wide receivers who have been here in Atlanta, but I think they're new to you. Chris Blair, Dylan Drummond, how have you seen them kind of?
Stefanski: Yeah, I really like both those guys. Chris, Drum, those guys have become very, very valuable and very, they're diligent and trustworthy. So the coaches, the players understand that they can play multiple roles. And again, this is at the point in camp where we're finding roles for guys to do. I think both those guys have showed up.
Reporter: We've watched Kyle and Charlie and Hooper out there a lot with each other. What do you like about those heavier packages? And it's kind of a rising trend around the league. So like, what do you like about it? And how prominent can that role be this year?
Stefanski: Sure. I think 13 is something that we, I've been a part of over the years and it's all about getting good players in the field and a response that you get from the defense in kind. But those are all things that training camp, you're working through what your best packages are. And certainly we feel really good about those three guys that you mentioned. And then it's a matter of what you want it to look like with those three guys in the field. And the beauty of that position, again, is you can line up in multiple formations in that personnel group. And at times you can, you know, attempt to get a certain look from the defense.
Reporter: And the update on Zach Harrison?
Stefanski: No update, but getting close.
Reporter: To go, like I said, is an update. To go back to Jaylen. You know, he's obviously a talented player, but so versatile as well. So when you're looking to replace a player like that, is it more of a next man up mentality? Or is it like you're gonna try to get creative with some guys during this time to see and do different roles?
Stefanski: I think that's kind of the mode that we're in as an offense defense and special teams is find out about our roster and moving guys around. I think you guys have seen us move different people in and out of the lineup. And not just from a ones and twos and threes, but to different positions. And that's no different in this case. We'll work different guys in there and see where we can find some skill sets.
Reporter: Kevin, is there a place that this training camp converted as much as you went through the offseason program now once you've gotten a week or so in, you're like, this might be a little better, certain area that's better than you thought it might be? Or surprised you?
Stefanski: I don't think so. And I say that because I was really pleased with the work that we accomplished in the spring. And having all the guys here and seeing what type of workers they were, I've been really pleased with the level of effort and the level of care that these guys put into it. So I wouldn't, hard to say I'd be surprised by anything, but continue to be impressed by the work that the guys are putting in.
Reporter: Any early characteristic you think developed by this team?
Stefanski: I think every year is different. And that's an organic thing that happens when you practice. We're really in the infancy of this as we get going. I think that will become more apparent to all of us over the course of these practices, these games, that type of thing.
Reporter: Trace, obviously a guy I'm sure you probably knew of, but not a lot about, because you just hadn't played a whole lot here. What's kind of, how much have you learned about Braylon and what's impressed you about him so far?
Stefanski: Sure, Braylon's doing a nice job. Looks healthy, very disruptive, powerful players. So just continue to bring him along and again, find his fit as well in the defense.
Reporter: How much did you evaluate him in 2024?
Stefanski: Sure, I mean, we did a lot of work on all of our guys. I didn't go back to 24 tape, but talking to everybody about what his skillset is and then getting to see it with pads on it has been the most important part. Again, very physical player.
Reporter: Kevin, you mentioned guys like Cash Jones and the versatility of offensive weapons, I guess, nowadays. Is that part of the reason why you are all cycling through the nickel spot as much as you are? And are you looking for a player who can do multiple things there or are you okay with mixing and matching?
Stefanski: Sure, I think you have to be okay with mixing and matching in this day and age and the idea that you just have 11 guys that play just is not realistic. Feel very, very fortunate to have guys at the nickel position, multiple guys at the nickel position that can do different jobs. So again, similarly to the previous conversations, I see that as a position that will continue to work different guys in and see what fits in a particular package, if you will.
Reporter: Kevin, when you spoke a moment ago about being pleased with what you've accomplished in the spring compared to other training camps, I mean, I know it's not always a set timeline, but is there a sense where you feel like you're maybe on schedule, ahead of schedule, maybe a little bit behind schedule where you want to be at this point in time?
Stefanski: I think we have miles to go. And there's a lot of work that I'm really pleased with and there's a lot of work that we have left to do.
Reporter: Anything else?
Reporter: Coach, what's your plan for the Saturday night lights?
Stefanski: Saturday night lights, thanks for asking about. I'm excited about Saturday night lights. You know, anytime players, and I guess coaches, are under the lights, there's a little bit of juice that comes with that. And I think the guys all, we all get taken back to high school days. And while it's not Friday night lights, it is Saturday night lights. So we're excited about the opportunity to go down to Lanier High School and practice in front of our crowd. And we get a lot of good work done there. So today will be a, you know, padded practice this morning, padded practice there tomorrow night. It'll be a lot of good work that we need, but certainly excited to be in front of our fans.
Reporter: These open practices, is there any like, one's always fearful of like spot recording? Have you seen any U.S. high for that, anything?
Stefanski: Yeah, we have snipers. No, you assume, honestly, you assume in all these practices everybody's watching. It is what it is. The old days where scouts would sneak in and you just assume everything's online and you should have plenty of offense, plenty of defense, plenty of special teams where you understand that once you get into giving game plans, there's not gonna be people going back to an August practice, that there's a trade secret or something that was left out there. So I think that's true of all 32 teams. You have to hold anything back and you know there's.
Stefanski: No, we don't, yeah, it certainly don't hold anything back. You'll put in trick plays and you don't care if they get on tape because there's no end in sight to what you can do and the amount of plays that you can run. So sometimes you don't mind putting things out there.
Reporter: We'll be done doing more today than he's done. One more time? Bijan, will he be ramped up today more at all?
Stefanski: Continuing on his ramp, he'll be in there for a couple of plays, but gonna be obviously smart as we build this out.
Reporter: Where's Jawad at?
Stefanski: Literally?
Reporter: Yeah.
Stefanski: Literally half. Continuing to do better, pleased with where he is, working very hard with our strength group. I think he's getting closer and closer, but he's in every meeting, he's in every walkthrough, so he's getting closer.
Reporter: Ontario?
Stefanski: Still working through that.
Stefanski: Thank you.
Stefanski: Okay, thanks guys. I appreciate you guys so much on this tonight.