The Browns are back in the building following their Week 10 bye, using the time over the break in the schedule to evaluate where they are as a team and how they can improve for the second half of the season.
They sit at 2-7 with eight games left in the 2024 regular season, and head coach Kevin Stefanski believes they have identified areas of focus for the final eight games.
"You look at from an offense, defense, special teams lens," Stefanski said. "You look at it from a personnel lens, from the schematic lens. There's a lot to take away, and it's our job to figure out how to digest all of that and have some action items. I shared with the team things that I feel like what should be goals of ours going into the last eight games from an offense, defense and special teams perspective, things that we think we can improve upon. That's the goal of certainly the next eight games."
Here are the top pieces of news and notes as the Browns begin preparing for Week 11.
Jameis Winston to remain starting QB
As the Browns come out of their bye week taking time to review all three sides of the ball and how they can improve, Stefanski said they are sticking with Jameis Winston as their starting quarterback.
"I think with all of our players, we're going to always look at what we're doing and see what type of decisions we want to make," Stefanski said. "But we feel really good about all those guys in there."
Winston has started two games for the Browns following QB Deshaun Watson's season-ending Achilles injury. In those two games, Winston has completed 53 of 87 passes for 569 yards and four touchdowns. He's also thrown three interceptions and been sacked eight times in those two starts.
"I think Jameis understands that turnover margin is so important when you're talking about winning and losing these games," Stefanski said. "So, that's definitely an area that he wants to be great at and not giving the other team even the opportunity to be in position to make a play like that. So, it'll just be a constant point of emphasis with all of our quarterbacks."
Stefanski said they did discuss over the bye week the coaching staff did discuss a potential package of plays for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson that they could use in the latter half of the season if the right opportunity presented itself.
"We'll see," Stefanski said. "It would have to be dependent on what we think the defense is going to do and if we feel like it's something that we need, we could."
Outlook at defensive end following Za'Darius Smith trade
The Browns made one move at the deadline, trading DE Za'Darius Smith to the Lions. In order to fill that spot, Stefanski said DE Ogbo Okoronkwo and DE Isaiah McGuire will play a role in the defensive line.
"I think both those guys are perfectly capable," Stefanski said. "We'll work through those type of things. But Ogbo has played for us, has started for us, has played well in his role. Isaiah McGuire, a young player that we think highly of as well. So, both guys we think can fill that role."
This season, Okoronkwo has recorded two sacks, 13 tackles, four tackles for loss and three quarterback hits. He's played in all nine games this season. McGuire has totaled 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one quarterback hit and half a sack in eight games this season.
"I think both of those guys have given us some really good moments, really good reps," Stefanski said. "Ogbo's done it now as a veteran for us and you've seen it, he's a productive player. Isaiah being a younger player, you haven't seen it as much, but in those small samples I think he's done a nice job."
WR Cedric Tillman is setting career highs in his second season. Through the first nine games, Tillman has recorded 24 receptions for 264 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 10-27.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 10-27.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 10-27.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) before a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 10-27.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 10-27.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) before a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 10-27.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) before a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 10-27.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27), Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) and Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on November 3, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 10-27.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) and Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium. The Browns lost 13-34.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) before a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 14-21.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium. The Browns lost 13-34.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) before a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 15-21.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2024 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 33-37.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) before a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns lost 15-21.
Increased production for WR Cedric Tillman
Following the trade of WR Amari Cooper to the Bills on Oct. 15, second-year receiver Cedric Tillman saw an uptick in his targets in the three games leading up the bye week.
In the first six games of the season, Tillman totaled three receptions for nine receiving yards, as well as one carry for a loss of five yards. In the final three games before the bye week, Tillman recorded 21 receptions for 255 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He set career highs in receiving yards and touchdowns in a game, as well as scoring the first touchdowns of his NFL career.
His increased production has given the Browns pass game a boost in recent weeks. He's taken coaching from pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea or players like Winston on the sideline in games in order to improve as the game continues. He's also showcased his skillset and what he can add to the receiving corps, such as the 38-yard pass from Winston that led to a touchdown in Week 8.
"I think confidence with young players is huge, but it only comes from the opportunity to be out there and doing it," Stefanski said. "So, I don't think Ced has ever lacked for confidence as you see with his role growing and the volume of targets coming his way. Naturally, and you make a few plays, naturally, your confidence is going to increase."
