Cleveland Browns: Kevin Stefanski not worried about Steelers resting starters

The Browns coach isn’t worried about what the Steelers will do

After a disappointing 23-16 loss to the New York Jets, the Cleveland Browns now face a must-win game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

But it remains unclear what version of those Steelers Cleveland will play.

With Sunday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts, and the Browns losing to the Jets, Pittsburgh officially won the AFC North division. Now, coach Mike Tomlin has the option to rest his starters, including a banged-up Ben Roethlisberger, against Cleveland on Sunday.

With the Browns starting wide receivers in COVID-19 protocols until Wednesday and the health status of offensive linemen Jedrick Wills and Wyatt Teller in question, coach Kevin Stefanski is not worrying about the decision that might come from the Steelers to rest their starters.

"“I’m really going to concern myself with the Cleveland Browns,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “We’ll get into our preparation with Pittsburgh in the next couple of days.”"

Monday morning, the Canton Repository’s Steve Doershuk reported that Pittsburgh is “leaning toward strategic rest for some starters.”

With Roethlisberger dealing with a hyperextended knee, the Steelers could very well give backup Mason Rudolph a chance at revenge in Week 17. Additionally, the athletic Josh Dobbs could torment Cleveland’s COVID-stricken linebacking unit and struggling defensive secondary.

Late last season, the Browns lost to a Steelers group led by Devlin “Duck” Hodges. In 2017, the Browns concluded their 0-16 campaign to Landry Jone’s Steelers as Roethlisberger rested for another playoff run.

The Browns are different now and have not lost consecutive games this season.

Regardless of what Pittsburgh decides to do, Stefanski remains unphased by Pittsburgh’s potential decision to rest some starters and is focused on fixing the problems the Browns endured during the loss to Sam Darnold’s Jets.