Insider shares when Kevin Stefanski, Andrew Berry may sign extensions

For a mailbag updated on Sunday afternoon, Cleveland Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer addressed when head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry may officially sign contract extensions that have been expected since the end of the 2023 season. 

"I believe the Browns are getting closer to announcing extensions for coach Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry, and that they’d probably like to have it done by the end of mandatory minicamp June 11-13, which kicks off the summer break," Cabot wrote. "I know they’d like to announce both extensions at the same time, so that could possibly be the holdup. They’re likely still crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s on at least one of them, and as soon as they finish, they’ll announce both. It makes sense to do it that way." 

Cleveland hired both Stefanski and Berry for their current roles in January 2020. Stefanski earned Coach of the Year honors in his first season with the organization after he guided the Browns to a playoff berth and their first postseason victory since January 1995. He became a two-time winner of that award this past February after Cleveland qualified for the playoffs despite being without starting quarterback Deshaun Watson for over half the season because of a shoulder injury. 

Replacing Baker Mayfield, the first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, with Watson in March 2022 remains the most controversial decision of Berry's tenure. Watson missed the first 11 games of the 2022 season while serving a suspension related to accusations of sexual misconduct, and he made just six starts this past campaign. 

By all accounts, Watson should be good to go for Cleveland's regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 8. Cabot noted that Watson is "throwing mostly routes on air when he throws every other day" during springtime practices as he works to return to full fitness. 

"As for the vibe at voluntary [organized team activities], it’s all upbeat and positive, with an up-tempo pace even though there’s no pads or contact," Cabot added about the Browns. "It’s essentially a passing camp, with the emphasis on 7-on-7s and individual drills for now." 

As of Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Browns at +150 betting odds to make the playoffs for the upcoming season. It seems Stefanski and Berry could receive some additional job security via extensions long before Cleveland takes the field against Dallas on the second Sunday of September.