The day following the Browns' 21-7 loss to the Chiefs, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski expressed his disappointment with the mistakes that led to the Browns' 11th loss of the season.
The Browns offense had six giveaways, forcing the Browns defense to defend short fields. Two of the Chiefs' three touchdowns came on drives that followed turnovers and started in Browns' territory.
"Really disappointed in turning the ball over six times. You are not going to beat anybody doing that," Stefanski said. "So, unfortunately, there's some good things that occurred during that game – particularly our defense, I thought, played really, really good football for the majority of the game. But, unfortunately, we just as a team didn't do all those little things that you need to do in order to beat a good team."
Here are the top news and notes from Monday's press conferences.
No decision yet on starting quarterback for Week 16
Stefanski pulled QB Jameis Winston from the Browns' Week 15 loss to the Chiefs after Winston threw his third interception of the day in the fourth quarter.
The Browns had a chance to pull within a one-score lead with the ball at the Kansas City 29-yard line. Yet, Winston threw a deep shot to the end zone, where it was picked off by CB Trent McDuffie.
It was Winston's 12th interception since taking over as the Browns starting quarterback and his third game with three interceptions this season. His big arm and willingness to take a shot, however, was also what powered the Browns offense to a statistical resurgence as Winston accounted for 14 touchdown passes over his seven-games as the starter.
"We know that a big part of winning and losing in football is taking care of the ball," Stefanski said. "We also know that you have to play a style of football that gives yourself a chance to make yards. So, there are times that you're aggressive, there's times that you're not based on what the situation is."
Second-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson entered the game for Winston in the fourth quarter, completing four of nine passing attempts for 18 yards and an interception. He added three carries for 16 yards.
Stefanski did not say whether Thompson-Robinson or Winston would get the starting nod when the Browns travel to play the Bengals in Week 16, saying the team was "still putting this game to bed."
When asked if his decision on the Week 16 starting quarterback was impacted by roster decisions for next year, Stefanski emphasized the Browns' desire to play winning football in their three remaining games this season.
"My focus, whether it's the quarterback position or really any position, is constantly trying to do what I feel like is best for the team, for right now for this week for Cincinnati," Stefanski said. "That's really where our focus is."
Play-by-play action shots from the Cleveland Browns' Week 15 NFL game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The offense during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) and Center Ethan Pocic (55) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (97) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) and Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during a NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Rodney McLeod Jr. determined to go out a winner
S Rodney McLeod Jr. had different expectations ahead of his final year in the NFL but is still set on ending his career on a high note with three games remaining.
"I want to win all three. I want to go out a winner," McLeod said. "I think when I started the season, going out a winner – what existed for me, what that looked like was holding a Lombardi Trophy. But, I think any competitor, any person that respects the game as much as I do and the rest of the team, going out, finishing this year with three solid wins versus great teams who are still in playoff contention and might even find themselves in the playoffs, is something that everybody can walk away with and feel good about."
McLeod has been a vocal leader throughout his two years in Cleveland. The 13-year veteran said he hasn't reconsidered his decision to retire at the conclusion of the 2024 season but wants to leave an impact on the younger players in the Browns locker room.
"Respecting the game and being mindful in how you show up every single day," McLeod said of the lasting message he wants to leave his teammates. "I pride myself on trying to be the same individual every time I walk into this building, every time I hit that grass. […] And I think there's a lot that a young player can learn from my daily walk as well as a veteran who's aspiring to play 10-plus years."
Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda holds a similar mindset as McLeod. Banda, who has always been quick to praise McLeod, said he, too, was determined to send out the 13-year veteran with a win.
"He's been an absolute blessing to this organization. He's been a blessing to me as a coach. He's been a blessing as the OG to the players in that room," Banda said on Dec. 13. "I'm giving everything I got with him in mind. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure that he does get to finish his last ride with a win."
Injury updates
The Browns received disappointing news when it was revealed that RB Nick Chubb, who left in the third quarter against the Chiefs, would miss the remainder of the 2024 season with a broken foot. Stefanski said that he did not yet know but did not believe Chubb's injury would require surgery.
Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season and did not return to NFL action until Week 7 of the 2024 season.
"I can't say it enough, how impressive it was to watch him get back this season," Stefanski said. "So, very, very disappointed with yesterday and then him having that unfortunate injury, but it can't take away from what he was able to accomplish this season."
TE David Njoku missed Week 15 with a hamstring injury and WR Cedric Tillman missed his third straight game since suffering a concussion against the Steelers in Week 12. Stefanski said he was "hopeful" that both pass catchers would be available against the Bengals but would have to see how this week plays out.
DE Myles Garrett left briefly during the second quarter with an eye injury before returning to the game. Garrett said after the game that he thought he would improve quickly but would visit the eye doctor on Monday. When Stefanski spoke to the media, he said that he believed Garrett was still at the eye doctor, and did not have an update.
