WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va – As the Browns practiced for the third day of training camp at The Greenbrier, Managing and Principal Partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam watched from the sidelines as their team ran through individual drills, an 11-on-11 period and 7-on-7 red zone drills.
Holding training camp out of town and at The Greenbrier for the first time in 2023 had been head coach Kevin Stefanski's idea. Dee and Jimmy Haslam supported that decision, and as an organization, saw the effect it had on the bonding of their players. So, they returned for the second year.
"We're really glad to be back here at the Greenbrier," Dee Haslam said. "Really appreciate our staff, Greenbrier staff, they've done a tremendous job. Our players are really happy to be here. It's just such a great place to kick off our season."
Here are the main topics discussed during their time with the media.
Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski's contract extensions
The Browns have stability in the general manager and head coaching positions, as they officially extended Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski in June.
At the NFL Owner's Meetings in March, the Haslams said they were in the process of working through those extensions. Over the last four years, the Haslams noted how Berry and Stefanski complement one another and have built the Browns in this stretch. It gave them confidence in the future of their organization. About two months later, the extensions were complete.
Under the first four years of Berry and Stefanski's leadership, the Browns have turned the page to a new chapter of history within the organization. Since 2020, the Browns are 37-30 (.552), the highest-winning percentage for the team over a four-year stretch since 1986-89.
Now, with the extensions in place, they are poised to lead the Browns through their next chapter. They have players who believe in the vision of both Berry and Stefanski and are hungry to build off their success in the 2023 season.
"Well, they're just really great men, first of all, and really good leaders," Dee Haslam said. "I think the players really respect them and the entire staff works really well with them. They know how to get everybody to come together with the same goals. So, it really does make a difference."
The Haslams also clarified that Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta – who was named the Browns Chief Strategy Officer – was not extended.
"We're working through the situation with Paul," Jimmy Haslam explained. "It's a little bit different because he lives in San Diego, but we're comfortable Paul will remain with us in some very important fashion for the long term."
Outlook on the 2024 season
The Browns saw a level of success in 2023 – despite the injuries they endured to star players – with an 11-6 season and a trip to the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
With the contract extensions of Berry and Stefanski in place, a healthy quarterback and reigning Defensive Player of the Year on the roster, the outlook on the Browns in 2024 is high. However, the Haslams understand the difficulty of the NFL and the challenges their schedule presents this year.
"If anybody understands how hard to do is to win, it's us," Jimmy Haslam said. "Because we've got a long way to go in terms of being a consistent winner. Do we feel good about our roster, our quarterback and our staff? We do. But things happen. Injuries, situations change. And I think you all know we have an extremely difficult schedule this year. If I'm a fan, our home schedule is unbelievable. If you care who wins and loses these games, it's tough. So, are we comfortable? I don't even want to say comfortable. We've made a lot of progress. Still have progress together is probably a better way to say it."
Deshaun Watson's return from shoulder surgery
QB Deshaun Watson continues to take steps forward and hit milestones as he returns from the shoulder injury he endured in 2023. He's throwing in training camp and in 11-on-11 periods and will be in pads with the team during Monday's practice.
The Haslams said they keep in touch with Watson on a regular basis and have been pleased with how Watson has attacked his rehab. They have also noticed his comfort level while out on the field and his level of confidence in his ability during the early days of training camp.
"He's worked hard," Jimmy Haslam said. "He told us he's in the best shape he's ever been in. So, we're excited to see what happens next week, get the pads on and see how he does. But he's in a very good frame of mind."
Stadium updates
The Haslams also provided some updates on the future of the stadium – either a renovation of the current Cleveland Browns Stadium or a new domed stadium in the Brook Park area.
"No matter which direction we go into, it's complicated," Jimmy Haslam said. "Anytime you have a public private partnership, it's not easy. We're continuing to work through the process, and we hope sooner rather than later we'll have a solution. But I can assure you, we were on the phone for an hour this morning talking about various things that have to be solved and one solution or the other, and we'll continue to do so until we get to what we think the right answer."
The Haslams recently returned from the MLS All-Star Week, which was hosted in Columbus at Lower.com Stadium. There, they saw what a new facility can do for a city.
However, they reassured they have not committed to one plan over the other.
As they work through the different potential plans of renovating the current stadium or building a new domed stadium in Brook Park, they are looking for ways to solve the concerns of the current Cleveland Browns Stadium on the lakefront, as well as serving the needs of the fans.
Dee Haslam explained they are focused on the safety for the fans getting in and out of the stadium and looking at how to improve the functionality of the current stadium. There's also challenges with the traffic by the stadium which they are looking into solutions in order to solve.
The lease on the current stadium ends in 2028, which serves as a time constraint on the ultimate decisions on the future of the stadium. As they work through all the elements and weigh their options, Jimmy Haslam said there is one driving factor for it all: the fans.
"If you ask what's the right answer, the right answer is what is best for our fans," Jimmy Haslam said. "That is driving 90 percent of the decision making. What's best for our fans? Because these are long, long-term decisions. This isn't a five-year decision, a 10-year decision. It's at least a 20-year decision, maybe more. So, what is best for our fans? That will ultimately drive what we do."
