The Opening Drive 9/3: Stefanski Intentional About Identity in 2025 and Personnel Notes from Bengals Camp
In order to win this year the Browns have to understand who they are.
The 2025 Cleveland Browns season kicks off with the “Battle of Ohio” as the Cincinnati Bengals travel to Cleveland for a 1:00 PM kickoff on Sunday. It feels like an eternity since we’ve been able to have any optimism about a Browns game, especially considering how last season unfolded.
For most of last season, the focus was on evaluating the talent on the roster and deciding who should remain for the 2025 season.
However, with each new season comes renewed hope. Regardless of what national pundits say or where the Browns rank in the latest power rankings, every team starts at 0-0.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski has aimed to create a more physical and hard-nosed training camp by implementing more live tackling periods — which we haven’t seen from him before — and a much heavier emphasis on competition across the board.
Stefanski is challenging his players to compete with toughness and to win the physicality battle after missing the mark last season. Early results have been encouraging, especially during two days of joint practices against another highly physical team in Philadelphia. Winning in this manner is crucial for the Browns, given their quarterback situation and the need for success in the run game.
Regardless of how the season unfolds, being intentional about establishing a team identity that both sides of the ball can embrace is essential. Identity matters.
If Stefanski can get his roster to embody the principles they have been promoting and carry them into the regular season, they will be closer to achieving what countless Browns teams before them could not: a clear understanding of who they are, and, more importantly, who they need to be in order to win. Certain versions have accomplished this but not consistently enough. Let’s see how it plays out — Week 1 will tell us an interesting story.
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Some Notes Regarding Bengals Personnel From Their Monday press Availability
Tuesday is typically a quiet day during game weeks. With the Browns off for the day, I decided to shift my focus to the Bengals and noted a few important points as we approach Sunday’s matchup.
D.J. Turner apparently hasn’t fully secured the starting cornerback position opposite Cam Taylor-Britt. Turner has been competing with Josh Newton, but on Monday, new Defensive Coordinator Al Golden was noncommittal. “When we’re ready to release it, it’ll be public knowledge,” Golden said. “Right now, we’re working through that. Either way, I’m excited about it. Part of it is seeing how D.J. moves around today and how he feels. Obviously, we’ve had some injuries affecting this game week with Myles, D.J., and a couple of other guys. So, we just need to see how it shakes out.”
The Bengals also signed veteran defensive tackle Mike Pennel to their practice squad to add depth at the nose tackle position. However, during Golden's press availability, he did not rule him out for Week one against the Browns, stating they would assess the situation as the week progresses. While it seems highly unlikely that Pennel would be ready to play Sunday, it’s another position to monitor and speaks to how underwhelmed the Bengals seem to be with their interior options.
Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher did not name a starter for right guard, expressing that he is comfortable with Lucas Patrick but hasn’t decided on the starter for Sunday. He mentioned Jalen Rivers and Dalton Risner as potential options. Risner would be the one to watch for if they make a late change but it does come with short preparation risk. Pitcher emphasized that he isn’t concerned about the job being undecided as Week 1 approaches.
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Browns Film Breakdown will return this afternoon with coverage from practice.
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