Tag: Ohio Cleveland Browns

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has interviewed with the Miami Dolphins for their head coaching vacancy.

The Dolphins began reaching out to candidates after hiring Jon-Eric Sullivan as their general manager last week, a day after firing coach Mike McDaniel following four seasons.

Miami interviewed Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak on Saturday.

Stefanski, 43, is a two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year and has interviewed with several teams looking for a new head coach, including Tennessee, Atlanta and Baltimore. He was fired last week by Cleveland with a 46-58 record in six seasons.

The Dolphins are expected to complete more interviews in the coming days but had been linked to former Baltimore coach John Harbaugh, who was fired by the Ravens after 18 seasons. The team has not announced an interview with Harbaugh.

Stefanski would be a different coaching hire from what Miami owner Stephen Ross typically has chosen.

Ross has not hired someone with previous head coaching experience since becoming the Dolphins’ majority owner in 2009 — recently gambling on Joe Philbin (2012-2015), Adam Gase (2016-18), Brian Flores (2019-21) and McDaniel (2022-25).

CINCINNATI — Myles Garrett has sacked Joe Burrow plenty of times in the six seasons since Burrow was the top overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020.

That’s why it would be fitting if the Cleveland Browns All-Pro pass rusher takes down the Bengals quarterback Sunday to tie or set the NFL’s single-season sacks record.

“He’s got me a lot,” Burrow said.

Eleven times, actually. That’s tied with Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson for the most among the 51 players Garrett has sacked.

For the season, Garrett is at 22 sacks and needs one to surpass Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt’s shared mark of 22 1/2.

“I’ve seen his face on the ground looking up at me saying, ‘Hi, Myles’ and ‘Hi, Joe’, too many times. So yeah, I figured he’d be at the top,” Garrett said Friday about Burrow’s spot on his personal sacks list.

Garrett had two sacks in the Browns’ 17-16 loss to the Bengals in the season opener. He’s also three away from achieving his goal of 25, which he has had written on his right wrist tape since early in the season.

“My confidence hasn’t wavered,” Garrett said of setting the record. “I’m fully confident that it will come.”

Burrow said the one thing he has appreciated about Garrett is the ability to remain even-keeled despite what is taking place around him.

“He’s more athletic than everybody else on the field. He’s bigger, stronger than everybody else,” Burrow said. “He has a mindset that he’s not too high or too low at any point, which is pretty unique for a defensive lineman. I think he’s probably got a unique mindset as far as that position goes, but it’s one that you can appreciate.”

Both teams would like to end the season with a win.

Cleveland (4-12) surpassed its win total from last year with a 13-6 victory over Pittsburgh last week. Cincinnati (6-10) has two straight weeks during which it has scored at least 37 points after being shut out against Baltimore on Dec. 14.

Stefanski’s future

Kevin Stefanski could be coaching his last game for the Browns on Sunday. He’s a two-time NFL coach of the year, but Cleveland has gone 7-26 since making the playoffs in 2023.

Stefanski, who has a 44-56 record, has refused to address his future the past couple weeks. He has led the Browns for six seasons, the longest tenure for a Cleveland coach since Sam Rutigliano, who was at the helm for 6 1/2 seasons from 1978 through ’84.

“This game is never going to be about one person, and that includes me,” Stefanski said on Friday.

If the Browns part ways with Stefanski, it likely won’t take long. Since Jimmy Haslam became owner in 2012, the news of a coaching change has happened on Sunday night after the final game.

“I want things to be successful. However that looks,” said Garrett about if he would prefer to see continuity with the coaching staff.

Taylor’s time

Zac Taylor appears set for an eighth season in Cincinnati despite a 52-62-1 mark and not making the playoffs for the third straight year.

Taylor has two seasons remaining on his contract and owner Mike Brown is conservative when it comes to making changes. Taylor also has the backing of Burrow, who has often expressed his support for not only his coach, but the front office.

Short-handed

Cleveland rookie QB Shedeur Sanders will be without his leading rusher and receiver.

Running back Quinshon Judkins was lost for the season with a broken leg on Dec. 21 against Buffalo, and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has been declared out due to a groin injury. Fannin first suffered it during practice on Dec. 26 and aggravated it two days later against Pittsburgh after catching a 28-yard touchdown pass from Sanders.

Sanders is 2-4 and averaging 207 passing yards per game in his six starts.

“Just stay consistent, taking what they give me,” Sanders said about his goals for the final start. “Whenever we get off rhythm, get back on rhythm, get back on track. And I think that’s the next part of my game I’m trying to evolve is whenever it’s either we’re stagnant or some adversity comes and being able to get back on track.”

Signs of improvement

The Bengals’ defense is ranked near the bottom of most categories — including last in total and yards rushing allowed — but it has done a better job of forcing turnovers during the latter half of the season.

Cincinnati has forced 11 takeaways the last six games, tied for third most in the NFL during that span.

More could come against the Browns as Sanders has thrown seven interceptions the past three games.

CLEVELAND — Aaron Rodgers doesn’t plan on changing his sleep schedule Saturday night, even though his Pittsburgh Steelers could wrap up a division title without playing.

If the Green Bay Packers — Rodgers’ former team — beat the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers (9-6) would secure their first AFC North title since 2020, making Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns (3-12) essentially meaningless.

Rodgers said he won’t change his approach, even if the Steelers have a playoff spot wrapped up before kickoff.

“I’m preparing to play and excited about playing,” he said.

Pittsburgh, which has won three straight to wrap up its 19th straight winning season, is likely to finish as the AFC’s fourth seed. The Steelers would need to beat Cleveland and Baltimore next week along with Jacksonville and Houston losing out to have a chance of improving their position.

If Pittsburgh wins the AFC North, it would be Rodgers’ ninth division title as a starting quarterback. That would tie him with Joe Montana for third most. Tom Brady leads with 19 and Peyton Manning had 12.

One thing the Browns have to play for is Myles Garrett’s pursuit of the single-season NFL sack record. Garrett has 22 and needs one to surpass Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt’s mark of 22 1/2.

Watt, the Steelers’ star pass rusher, will miss a third straight game as he recovers from surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung.

Garrett has faced Rodgers twice and has not sacked him. Breaking the record and making Rodgers the 52nd player Garrett has sacked would be special for the All-Pro pass rusher.

“He’s legendary himself and it’s a legendary record. I’m here to chase him. That would be a great one to put a picture on the wall with,” Garrett said. “He’s going to make it difficult, but I feel like I am very capable of fighting through everything and have some teammates who can free me up.”

Rodgers has been pressured on a league-low 21.9% of his dropbacks. He has the league’s quickest release, averaging just 2.63 seconds to throw.

“You’re not going to fool a player of that caliber who has seen so much defense,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “You feel at times watching the tape that he’s one step ahead of the defense. He’s able to see things so quickly.”

Steelers missing suspended Metcalf

The Steelers will be without top wide receiver DK Metcalf, who has been suspended for Pittsburgh’s final two games following an altercation with a fan at Detroit last week.

Metcalf will finish the season with a career-low 850 yards receiving, and his 59 catches are his fewest since his rookie year with Seattle in 2019. But his presence on the field creates opportunities for teammates.

Now those teammates, including recently signed veterans Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, will have a chance to prove Pittsburgh’s passing attack is more than a one-man show. It helps that Rodgers spreads the ball around. Eleven Steelers have touchdown catches this season, tied for most in the league.

“I think there’s a lot of guys on this offense that can make plays,” Thielen said. “Whether it’s the tight end room, I think there’s a lot of versatility there. Running back room … and then in the receiver room, just a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things.”

More injury woes for Browns

Cleveland rookie QB Shedeur Sanders was already going into the game short-handed after running back Quinshon Judkins suffering a season-ending leg injury last week against Buffalo. Now, he might be without his leading receiver.

Tight end Harold Fannin suffered a groin injury during Friday’s practice. Fannin had touchdowns rushing and receiving last week. He leads NFL rookies in catches (70), is tied for third in touchdown receptions (five) and is fourth in receiving yards (701).

Stefanski said Fannin is likely to be a game-time decision.

Dillon Gabriel suffered a shoulder injury on Friday, meaning Bailey Zappe could be called up from the practice squad to back up Sanders.

Steelers’ Warren and Gainwell support each other

Pittsburgh’s running back tandem of Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell has become one of the best duos in the league, combining for 15 touchdowns and more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage.

While the Steelers gave Warren a modest contract extension just before the start of the season, there really is no definitive first-string running back, which is just the way offensive coordinator Arthur Smith likes it.

“There’s a lot of trust in those players,” Smith said.

Warren and Gainwell — who signed a one-year deal last spring after spending four seasons in Philadelphia — are quick to celebrate each other’s accomplishments, and their team-first attitude has permeated an offense that might be the most democratic in the league. Eight players have at least 150 yards from scrimmage for Pittsburgh this season.

BEREA, Ohio — In another disappointing Browns season marked by the ongoing struggles to find a reliable quarterback, Cleveland faces a question: Stay with Dillon Gabriel or give Shedeur Sanders a shot?

With the Browns at 2-6 entering their bye week, it is more a matter of when Sanders — their highly publicized, fifth-round draft pick — will take his first NFL snaps and get his first start. Presumably, it will happen sometime between now and the Jan. 4 season finale at Cincinnati.

As Kevin Stefanski, his coaching staff and the front office assess the first half of the Browns’ season, much of their time will be spent trying to fix a punchless offense whose problems go beyond who is under center.

“I think it’s by position we have to be better and we have to put our players in better spots, if you will, and that includes every position. So, we’ll look at all of it this week and make a decision coming out of the bye,” Stefanski said on Monday.

When it comes to Sanders, Stefanski has said, “Honestly, my focus is where we are right now. That’s not my focus.”

Sanders has mainly practiced with the scout team, moving from third-string to backup after Joe Flacco was traded to Cincinnati.

Another variable could be Deshaun Watson, who was thought to be out for the season after a second Achilles tendon injury in January. Watson has recently posted videos on social media showing him working out on the indoor field at the Browns’ facility.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn’t the only one wondering why the Browns were quick to move on from Flacco.

The veteran was benched after starting Cleveland’s first four games. Flacco had an NFL-low 60.3 passer rating, the league’s second-worst completion rate (58.1%), and six interceptions when the Browns gave Gabriel a shot.

Gabriel’s numbers haven’t been much better. He has the third-lowest passer rating (75.8) and the fourth-worst completion rate in October (59.4%). He has thrown for four touchdowns and has a pair of interceptions.

A different story has unfolded for Flacco since his move to Cincinnati on Oct. 7. In his first three starts with the Bengals, he has a 100.1 passer rating, a 64.3% completion rate, and has thrown for seven touchdowns with no interceptions.

The difference? Flacco now has two game-breaking receivers: Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase leads the league with 70 receptions and has at least 10 catches in all three games Flacco has started.

As for Cleveland’s receivers? Jerry Jeudy has a league-high eight dropped passes. Overall, the Browns are tied for second with 14 drops.

Those struggles were clear in last Sunday’s 32-13 loss to New England. Cleveland’s wide receivers had only two of the team’s 21 receptions. Jeudy had none on his two targets. Tight ends Harold Fannin Jr. and David Njoku combined for 10 catches, including both touchdowns. Three running backs accounted for the other nine.

The result is a nonexistent downfield passing attack. Gabriel is 1 for 8 on passes at least 20 yards from the line of scrimmage.

Rookie Quinshon Judkins has given the running game a spark with eight carries of at least 12 yards. However, because of Cleveland’s persistent passing struggles, teams have focused on stopping the second-round pick, who missed training camp and the first regular-season game due to an off-the-field matter.

No matter who has been under center, the Browns often fall behind the chains. Their 35.5% successful play rate — gaining at least 4 yards on first down, half the needed yards on second, and converting on third or fourth — is the worst in the league.

Cleveland’s 8.39 average yards to go on second down is the league’s second-highest. On 70.3% of those plays, they faced at least 7 yards — nearly 10% above league average.

As a result, the Browns have gone three-and-out on 25.6% of possessions, the league’s fourth-highest rate. Under Gabriel, that figure jumps to a league-leading 29.5%.

Stefanski — a two-time Coach of the Year — faces ongoing questions about turning play-calling duties over to first-year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. So far, he has opted to stay the course.

The question for the Browns is whether switching to Sanders or Watson would actually spark improvement, or if the team must make more wholesale adjustments to its offense.

Sanders has the athleticism and was among the most accurate quarterbacks in the nation last year at Colorado with a 74% completion rate. The Browns must evaluate whether he is up to speed with play-calling and making changes on the fly.

“He’s working hard and really learning by the day, by the week. He’s doing a nice job of getting the most out of each and every day and feeling more comfortable with the system,” quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave said last week.

If Watson returns, he’d bring a veteran presence to the huddle, but he is 9-10 as Cleveland’s starter. He is also reviled by fans after the Browns sent three first-round picks to Houston for him in 2022 and then signed him to a massive contract that will go down as one of the worst in NFL history.

Whoever the Browns decide to go with, the offense will look different when they take the field on Nov. 9 against the New York Jets. Jeudy and many of the veteran starters on the offensive line could be on other rosters by Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.

CLEVELAND — New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel wanted to add energy in Gillette Stadium after watching his team lose two of its first three games at home to open the season.

He did it by bringing back individual pregame introductions for the first time since 2001. It might have been exactly the boost New England needed.

Drake Maye threw three second-half touchdown passes to help the Patriots erase an early deficit and roll to their fifth straight victory, 32-13 over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

“The crib was rocking,” safety Jaylinn Hawkins said. “It was loud out there.”

Hawkins and linebacker Robert Spillane both added interceptions for New England (6-2), which has won six straight over Cleveland and 11 of the past 13 meetings since 1999.

Maye finished 18 of 24 for 282 yards and an interception. Hunter Henry, Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte all had TD catches.

“It’s really cool to really see a difference from last year,” Maye said of getting back to .500 at home. “It’s been a journey. They’ve been through it. The fans have been through it the last couple of years. So it’s just a credit to them.”

It came on a day where Browns star edge rusher Myles Garrett finished with a franchise-record and career-high five sacks, raising his season total to 10.

The loss extended Cleveland’s road losing streak to 12 games. The Browns (2-6) haven’t won away from home since Week 2 of last season against Jacksonville.

A week after earning his first victory as an NFL starter, Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel was 21 of 35 for 156 yards, with two touchdowns and the two picks.

“It starts with me. We’ve got to be better,” Gabriel said.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Gabriel will remain the starter for now.

“With a young quarterback, you understand that there’s going to be ups and downs,” he said.

Cleveland hasn’t won in six trips to the Patriots’ current home since it opened in 2002 and now has an eight-game skid in Foxborough.

The Patriots took a 9-7 lead into halftime but had all kinds of trouble with Garrett early on.

Garrett dropped Maye for a third-and-goal sack on the Patriots’ opening drive of the game and forced them to settle for a field goal.

On the ensuing drive, Gabriel connected with Harold Fannin Jr. for an 18-yard touchdown pass, capping a six-play, 70-yard drive. The score was set up by a 31-yard run by receiver Malachi Corley.

It was the sixth time in eight games that a Patriots opponent has scored on its opening drive this season.

Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger had his first career INT early in the second quarter. But the Browns failed to get points out of it when Andre Szmyt’s 47-yard field-goal attempt missed wide left.

New England was threatening again and had third down on the Browns 7 when Garrett sacked Maye again, forcing the Patriots’ second field goal of the game.

Later, Garrett sacked Maye for the third time, stripping him of the ball with a minute to play in the half. The ball was recovered by left guard Jared Wilson, however, helping New England salvage a third field goal as time expired.

Sack man

With his performance, Garrett became the third player in NFL history to have 10 or more sacks in eight consecutive seasons, joining Hall of Famers Reggie White (nine from 1985-93) and John Randle (nine from 1992-99). It is the third four-sack game in Browns history. Andra Davis also had four in a 2003 game against the Chiefs. The three-sack first half was the third of Garrett’s career.

Trickery

The Patriots used a gadget play on their opening drive of the third quarter to set up their first touchdown.

With a first down on the Browns 38, Maye pitched to Rhamondre Stevenson, who threw it back to Maye. Maye tossed it ahead to receiver Mack Hollins for 19-yard gain.

Three plays later, Maye connected with Henry on a 7-yard TD pass as the Patriots extended their lead to 16-7.

Injuries

Browns: CB Tyson Campbell jogged off the field after taking a hit to the head on a play in the third quarter, was evaluated for a concussion and did not return. RB Quinshon Judkins also left the game with a shoulder injury in the third quarter and was ruled out. S Rayshawn Jenkins left with a groin injury. LB Carson Schwesinger left with an ankle issue.

Patriots: DL Khyiris Tonga left in the second half with a knee injury and was ruled out.

Up next

Browns: Have a bye next week. They visit the Jets on Nov. 9.

Patriots: Host Atlanta next Sunday.

WATFORD, England — Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel seems to take everything in stride, like not stressing about his parents being unable to attend his first NFL start.

They’re in his native Hawaii. The game is in London.

“So, fun fact — need to get my dad a passport,” Gabriel said Friday.

Gabriel was selected midweek as the starter for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, taking over from Joe Flacco with coach Kevin Stefanski hoping the 24-year-old quarterback can spark what’s been an anemic offense.

During kickoff at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it will be 3:30 a.m. in Hawaii.

“I’ve always been used to it, when I was in Florida to Hawaii, a six-hour difference. Texting family is a little different,” said Gabriel, an “808” — Hawaii’s area code — tattoo visible on his right thigh as he spoke to local and international reporters at the team’s hotel north of London.

While traveling internationally for your first NFL start might seem daunting, Gabriel said “there’s comfort there” because he was reminded of long flights from Hawaii to various games.

The 5-foot-11 Gabriel will be the fifth different starting quarterback in 10 games, joining Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Bailey Zappe and Flacco. Cleveland is ranked next-to-last in scoring, averaging 14 points per game. The team fell to 1-3 with a 34-10 loss to Detroit last week.

“Preparation allows you to be confident on game day,” said Gabriel, wearing slide sandals over white socks as he spoke. “I even had four weeks prior to this to master how we go through a week.”

Gabriel played in three systems in college — UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon — and was a Heisman Trophy finalist as he led Oregon to a Big Ten title.

“With Dillon, he’s unique and he’s very mature but also his college career was like no other in terms of experience,” Stefanski said. “He can lean on that experience in this situation.”

Stefanski reiterated that Flacco will be Gabriel’s backup Sunday ahead of Shedeur Sanders, the high-profile rookie who slipped to the fifth round in this year’s NFL draft.

Gabriel has played in two games this season — Week 2 at Baltimore and last week at Detroit — and has completed three of four passes for 19 yards and a touchdown.

Garrett weighs-in on Gabriel, Wentz

Four-time All-Pro Myles Garrett participated in practice after having been limited earlier in the week with an ankle problem. He popped right up after slipping on the wet grass Friday in the rain.

He was asked questions about Sunday’s signal callers, and he noted Gabriel’s poise.

“He runs the offense like this is his offense. He comes out smile on his face, chest out, gives the call. It looks like he’s been doing for years, the way he manages the offense,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz will make his third start in relief of the injured J.J. McCarthy.

The veteran took six sacks in the 24-21 loss to Pittsburgh in Dublin last week as the Vikings dropped to 2-2.

“He holds onto the ball,” Garrett said. “He wants to make that big play. It’s not a bad thing. He does take sacks because he holds onto the ball.”

Wentz is crafty enough to avoid pressure, he added.

“We have to continue rushing, not assume that the play is over,” Garrett said. “He does have the legs to get out of some tackles and he will duck under a lot of guys who come in just flying through, so just have to contain him and be intelligent in how we rush.”

Injury updates

Stefanski wasn’t definitive about the status of several players. He said “we’ll see” about cornerback Greg Newsome (hamstring). On offensive tackle Jack Conklin (elbow), he said: “I’m hopeful but we’ve got to get through the next few days.” Newly acquired tackle Cam Robinson is “coming along,” the coach added.

BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Dawand Jones has undergone right knee surgery, the team announced Friday.

Jones had a lateral collateral ligament tear in his right knee and a hamstring avulsion repaired. The surgery was performed Thursday by the team physician, Dr. James Voos.

Jones was injured on the Browns’ fourth offensive play last Sunday against Green Bay when Packers safety Javon Bullard went low and hit his leg.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday the Browns have asked the NFL to review the play. The league’s officiating department said a penalty should have been called because Bullard went low outside of the tight end box.

“It shouldn’t happen, and I’m not saying that there was intent for that to happen. Our guys understand the rules,” Stefanski said. “In the old days, you’d have to defend yourself because guys could go low. I can picture Antoine Winfield, that was kind of his calling card on those plays, so you would be maybe more aware to protect yourself.”

The third-year left tackle will miss the rest of the season. It’s the third straight year an injury has ended Jones’ season early. He suffered a knee injury in Week 14 in 2023 and a broken fibula in Week 11 last year.

Cornelius Lucas is expected to be the left tackle when the Browns (1-2) play at Detroit on Sunday. Right tackle Jack Conklin is questionable with an elbow injury. If Conklin is inactive for the third straight game, KT Leveston would get the start.

CLEVELAND — Micah Parsons told Myles Garrett he wasn’t just going to surpass Garrett’s $40-million-a-year average salary. In Parsons’ words, he was going to “beat the (expletive)” out of it.

Parsons ended up being a man of his word, signing a four-year deal with Green Bay that averages $47 million after being traded by the Dallas Cowboys.

On Sunday, two of the NFL’s top pass rushers will meet when Garrett’s Cleveland Browns host Parsons and the Packers.

“Holy (expletive), he did it! I think that was the same thing that went through most people’s minds,” Garrett said Friday about what went through his mind when news of Parsons’ trade and contract broke last month. “So that was part of the, I guess, the humorous part of the deal. Then him texting me talking about, ‘Did I do right?’ And I was like, ‘Nah, you did perfect.’ So I’m just glad to see him get what he’s earned and he’s worth every dollar. He’s shown that.”

Parsons got to watch Garrett set the market early in the offseason. Garrett demanded to be traded before repairing his relationship with the Browns.

Parsons had a different experience with the Cowboys.

“There was always a potential of me being back in this same spot, which I am now,” Garrett said. “I don’t think that’s what he wanted after no discussions with (owner) Jerry (Jones) and some of the other people, especially without his agent being present. I feel like that seemed like a show of disrespect, the way they were handling the situation, and I think the way ours was handled was a bit more respectful all around.”

Parsons and Garrett’s camaraderie was strengthened this offseason when they worked out together. Parsons said the workout sessions were heated and competitive, surpassing the ones he had while he was at Penn State.

Parsons also said Friday he wouldn’t argue with anyone who said Garrett was better.

“I would say he’s probably one of the better guys. If you argued Myles is better, I wouldn’t hesitate to probably say you’re right,” Parsons said. “But competing and understanding what he’s done for the game of football and how he’s came in and dominated but then also offering fellowship and mentorship, I think that’s what separates the good and the great, like just being a big brother, a big friend outside of football, You offering that, I think that just offers just an unbelievable amount of respect when you do that.”

Garrett has 106 sacks in nine seasons since he was the first overall pick by the Browns in the 2017 draft. Garrett, who turns 30 on Dec. 29, needs 2 1/2 sacks to surpass Reggie White for the most by a player before turning 30.

Since Parsons came into the league in 2021 as the 12th overall pick by Dallas, Garrett has an NFL-best 63 1/2 sacks, while Parsons is fifth with 54.

Both are off to great starts again this season.

Garrett has 3 1/2 sacks, tied for the league lead with New Orleans’ Carl Granderson. He’s also tied for fifth with five quarterback hits and tied for 11th with nine QB pressures.

Parsons has 1 1/2 sacks and is tied for fifth with 11 pressures despite being on a snap limit the first two games after he missed all of training camp.

“He’s a little bit shorter as a rusher, and that gives him the leverage angles that some guys just don’t have naturally, and he’s able to use that to his advantage,” Garrett said. “He’s just ferocious and relentless when he’s out there. He’s a fun rusher to watch.”

When asked if he might play the entire game this week, Parsons said he didn’t know. Green Bay faces Dallas next week in what could be an emotionally charged matchup.

“I mean training camp’s four weeks for a reason. It takes a while, but the training staff, we’ve been working out before and after every day so we’re slowly getting there,” Parsons said.

Garrett has sacked 45 quarterbacks, but this will be the first time he has faced the Packers with Jordan Love behind center.

Love has not been sacked this season, and the Packers are looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 2020.

Parsons’ QB sack list is at 23, but this will be the first time he goes against veteran Joe Flacco.

Flacco and the Browns’ offense have struggled as Cleveland has dropped its first two for the first time in eight years.

Garrett and Parsons have exchanged texts throughout the week — including Parsons asking for two tickets for family.

“I mean, that’s my brother on the other side of the field,” Garrett said. “But it doesn’t matter who it is or what the relationship is, that’s who I want to beat any time I step on the field regardless of the team or the person on the other side. And I know that’s his aspiration as well.”