Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski offered some support for offensive left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. after Wills made a controversial comment about his decision to sit out a game.
Stefanski explained on Wednesday that he had spoken to Wills after the former first-round pick, and currently benched starter, said he made a “business decision” not to play in a recent game against Baltimore due to a knee injury.
Stefanski downplayed the comment but didn’t defend it. “I talked to Jed. It was a poor choice of words,” Stefanski said before practice as the Browns prepared for their upcoming game against New Orleans.
“I know what that phrase means. That’s not how he meant it. He did not feel like he was near 100% to help us, but poor choice of words and he understands that.”
Wills, who had lost his starting job to second-year tackle Dawand Jones, explained on Monday that he chose not to play against the Ravens on October 27 due to swelling and limited movement after hyperextending his right knee the previous week against Cincinnati.
He also had surgery on the same knee in December and said he didn’t want to play at less than full strength because it could hurt the team.
The Browns ended up beating the Ravens with Jones starting in place of Wills, and Jones played well. Wills was available to play the following week against the Chargers, but Stefanski kept Jones in the starting role at left tackle.
Stefanski said Wills’ decision not to play against the Ravens did not influence the choice to move him down the depth chart. Wills, who is in the final year of his contract, said he was “pretty shocked” by being benched.
Stefanski added that Wills’ comments would not affect his role moving forward. Wills is now the team’s “swing” tackle, meaning he serves as the backup for both Jones at left tackle and Jack Conklin at right tackle.
“No,” Stefanski said when asked if Wills’ remarks would change his standing. “Let me reiterate. It was a poor choice of words. I know what that phrase means. That’s not how he meant it.”
Wills, the No. 10 overall pick in 2020 from Alabama, has been a target of fan criticism in recent years. He has started 57 games and generally played well, but his effort has been questioned at times. Now, with his comments about sitting out, his future with the Browns looks more uncertain.
Stefanski acknowledged that Wills has faced challenges in returning to his previous form after his surgery last December. “I wouldn’t categorize it as a setback,” Stefanski said. “It hasn’t recovered how quickly he would want it to, and there’s obviously times that you maybe tweak an injury or you feel it again and those types of things. It’s been a tough rehab for him.”
