For much of the past five years, Cleveland Browns General Manager Andrew Berry and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski have seemed to be in lockstep when it comes to the roster. This season, however, things appear to be changing. If Stefanski’s surprise at his traded players wasn’t a sign enough, 92.3 The Fan hosts Anthony Lima and Ken Carman have stoked the flames further.

“I don’t think (Stefanski) is on equal footing as Andrew Berry,” Anthony Lima told his co-host Carman. “He hasn’t lost power, but Andrew Berry has gained it, and I think that’s a detriment to the team.”

Berry and Stefanski signed with Cleveland in 2020 and have effectively turned the organization for good. They have a record of 37-30 (.552) — the highest winning percentage for the team over four years since 1986-89. Moreover, they’ve been to the playoffs twice in the last four years. So, when their contracts were extended in June 2024, Berry knew the organization was in good hands for the foreseeable future.

Ironically, things have taken a turn this year.

Despite a regressing performance and a 1-4 record with their third-round pick, QB Dillon Gabriel, Stefanski has constantly supported him to be the team’s primary signal caller. In fact, when Joe Flacco was announced as the QB1, the 2x Head Coach of the Year had voted the Oregon alum as their backup over Shedeur Sanders quite instantly.

On the other hand, owner Jimmy Haslam’s claim that Berry brought in the fifth-rounder Sanders into the fold reflects where the general manager’s preference lies. That became apparent when the rookie was made a backup behind Gabriel, something that Stefanski did not want. But this isn’t the only way Berry has made things for Stefanski difficult.

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Case in point, Flacco’s trade: When the veteran was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, the bewildered head coach had confessed that the decision came to him as a surprise. If it were on him, Flacco, who showed good leadership for a young QB room despite a 1-3 start this season, would still be in Berea. But all he could say instead was that it wasn’t something he saw coming and only got to know about the plan through a call once it was finalized.

This trade came after the team had already let Kenny Pickett walk away to the Las Vegas Raiders before the season started… after he was leading the discussions to be the team’s QB1 all offseason.

Then, there was cornerback Greg Newsome’s trade to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He was in a contract year and was seemingly playing his best football yet. In just five games that he started, he had already recorded 23 combined and 18 solo tackles with three passes defended. With this stat line, he was on pace to eclipse his 2023 season in Berea, the only better one in the last three seasons.

However, he was traded for another corner in Tyson Campbell, who has shown regression since signing a four-year deal in 2024. Practically, though, the trade makes sense. Even in his worst year in 2024, Campbell’s output was better than Newsome’s best. But it doesn’t exactly help the Browns’ head coach.

Stefanski is trying to help the team win now. Contrasting him is Berry, who is planning for the team’s future.

We have already seen some cases this season where the general managers’ shots have created trouble for the head coach. What could be a bigger example than the defensive lineman Micah Parsons’ trade to the Green Bay Packers because of his fallout with Jerry Jones? The Dallas Cowboys’ defense is still struggling to breathe after that decision.

But with bigger questions on the Browns’ current situation, what holds a higher priority? Building for the future or tackling the ongoing season? Although the team’s schedule will get easier now, if they don’t win a game, this will end up being the worst year for Stefanski with the Browns. Interestingly, a lot will come down to the decision of who leads the team at the most important position and who will be the backup. With Sanders’ back tightness, the situation only gets more confusing.

After his back issues, will Shedeur Sanders be the Browns’ QB2?

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has been dealing with a back issue since Week 8. This situation has made people wonder who will be the backup for the current starting quarterback, Dillon Gabriel. On Thursday, there was a positive update about Sanders’ condition.

“I watched him throw the ball yesterday and move through practice in the early part when we’re allowed out there,” Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot shared on 92.3 The Fan. “He was upbeat; he was dancing between reps like he always does. He brings sort of a light vibe to practice all the time. And he looked like himself to me. He didn’t look to be in any pain.”

However, despite the positive outlook from practice, Coach Kevin Stefanski is staying cautious. He has said that Sanders will still be on a limited practice schedule for now, only becoming the backup if he responds well to practice over the next few days. If he doesn’t, the Browns will bring back Bailey Zappe from the practice squad.

Previously, Zappe substituted for Sanders in the Browns’ Week 8 matchup against the New England Patriots. With a bye week in between, however, Sanders might feel better.

The team does want Sanders to be the backup in Week 10’s game against the New York Jets.

Once Sanders is back in the active lineup, the bigger question on everyone’s minds in Berea wouldn’t just be who gets to be the backup. It would be if the rookie will ever get a chance to show what he’s got. With Berry calling the shots, Stefanski has given up his play-calling duties already. Could it be that the general manager will also push to get the Colorado alum to the QB1 position?