Browns staff changes 'will be answered at appropriate time,' according to GM Andrew Berry

BEREA — Andrew Berry made his first public comments on Monday since the Browns' season came to an end in an AFC wild card loss to the Houston Texans. The general manager's comments were also his first since the team elected to shake up its offensive coaching staff.

Not that Berry was willing to share much more than what had been left unsaid over the previous week.

"I understand that that's a topic of interest, the coaching staff in general," Berry said Monday. "Quite honestly, we’re not going to comment on that in detail until the (2024) coaching staff is finalized and then all those questions will be answered at the appropriate time."

The Browns moved on from offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, running backs coach Stump Mitchell and tight ends coach T.C. McCartney early last week, days after the loss to the Texans. They also have interviewed Tennessee Titans outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow, an indication that defensive line coach Ben Bloom could be, at the least, re-assigned.

Sources have confirmed three individuals have either interviewed, or are scheduled to interview, for Van Pelt's position. Those are Seattle Seahawks offensive line coach Andy Dickerson, former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson.

Johnson worked with rookie C.J. Stroud, who is viewed as the favorite to be NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The former Ohio State quarterback was asked about his position coach by Houston reporters on Monday.

"I've known Jerrod since I was 16," Stroud said. "One thing I could say about Jerrod — talk about someone who knows how to play position, relay something, a great person, loves football, loves Texas, a great family man, taught me a tremendous amount of information."

The Browns have also spoken with former Carolina Panthers assistant head coach/running backs coach Duce Staley. Staley was interviewing for Mitchell's former spot.

Bill Callahan's future with Browns with son Brian taking Titans job?

Berry declined to comment on whether or not, beyond coaches leaving for other positions, the Browns were done shuffling around the staff. One coach who has been connected to other possible jobs is offensive line coach Bill Callaham, whose son Brian — who has spent the last several years as the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive coordinator — was reportedly in talks Monday evening to become the next head coach at the Tennessee Titans.

"That would probably fall into the bucket of staff," Berry said when asked specifically about Callahan. "It's a good question. I definitely understand the interest there. We obviously value Bill very highly. He's done a great job with us the past four seasons. I probably don't feel comfortable commenting on that until we address the coaching staff."

Kevin Stefanski's play-calling duties not settled one way or the other

The conversation has started up again about coach Kevin Stefanski and his role as the Browns' play-caller. The change in offensive coordinator could open up an opportunity for the head coach to give up some of the responsibilities.

Berry said that's not settled one way or the other. However, it's not necessarily directly tied to the change at coordinator, either.

"So it's a good question," Berry said. "I'd say, No. 1, that's something that we always talk about every offseason in kind of the self-assessment. Part of that depends on where we land with staff and what Kevin's preferences are. Ultimately that's going to be his decision as he constructs a staff. We've mentioned multiple times, I think that's one of Kevin's strengths, but how that operates from year to year, that's ultimately something that we reassess."

Andrew Berry 'really happy with Kevin' Stefanski, but won't talk extension

Stefanski and Berry both are going into their final years of their original five-year contracts. Stefanski will be the longest-tenured coach for the Browns since Bill Belichick in 1991-95, while Berry will be the longest-tenured general manager since Ernie Accorsi was on the job from 1985-91.

While it seems almost certain both will be extended by owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, those extensions have not yet been announced. Berry was asked about the status of Stefanski's extension.

"I understand the question," Berry said. "I have to say, though, if I don't talk about players in this, you guys probably don't have a great shot at me talking about that as well. But we're really happy with Kevin."

Deshaun Watson's shoulder 'progressing well' through rehab

The centerpiece of the next season's offense, the Browns yet again hope, will be quarterback Deshaun Watson. That was the hope last season, but he was limited to just six starts because of two shoulder injuries, including a broken glenoid in his throwing shoulder.

Watson underwent surgery in late November for the broken glenoid. His arm was not in a sling when he was around the team off and on over the final four weeks of the season, including the day after the Texans loss.

Berry avoided getting himself pinned down on specifics with regards to either Watson's current status or a timetable on when he'll be back throwing.

"More generally, Deshaun's progressing well, he's doing everything in his power in terms of rehab, he's coming along well," Berry said. "We anticipate him being on a normal or potentially ahead of scheduled timeline. I hesitate to say that because it still is early, but we're really pleased with his progress so far and certainly looking forward to getting him back when he comes in the spring."

Watson has played in 12 games, but only finished 11, in two seasons with the Browns. He has three years remaining on a five-year, $230-million fully guaranteed contract.

Berry acknowledged the stop-and-start nature of Watson's Browns career has been tough at times to get a complete read on the quarterback. However, he wasn't allowing it to diminish the team's expectations for Watson going into his third season.

"Yeah, we'd all love to have him on the field more often," Berry said. "I think that's safe to say, himself included. Do feel really good about him, happy with the progress that he's made within our organization, both on the field and off the field. And we're looking forward to getting him back next year. We think he's going to have a really big year, and have a ton of confidence in him as our starting quarterback."

Myles Garrett, Joel Bitonio earn recognition from Pro Football Writers Association

The Pro Football Writers Association announced their All-NFL, All-AFC and All-NFC teams on Monday. The teams are voted on by members of the PFWA.

Defensive end Myles Garrett was named as one of the two at his position on the All-NFL team. It's his fourth consecutive year being named to the team, the longest active streak.

"I think regardless of how much he played through, he played at a really high level for us down the stretch," Berry said of Garrett. "He does a really good job of managing his body. He's very, very proactive. He does a lot that is not visible in the building. He does a lot outside the building to make sure that he can perform at a peak level, and he's always done that. That's not just even a recent occurrence.

"Probably the larger point for me is I know the focus is on sack numbers, but the reality of it is that really doesn't tell the whole story or even enough of the story to be honest. He's the Defensive Player of the Year."

Garrett was one of two Browns chosen to the All-AFC team. The other was left guard Joel Bitonio.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Andrew Berry won't comment yet on Browns coaching staff shake-up