Browns' Stefanski Clarifies Jedrick Wills Jr.'s 'Business Decision' Injury Comments

Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. raised eyebrows earlier this week when he told reporters he "made a business decision" to not play against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8 due to an injury.

He was promptly benched upon his return in favor of his replacement, Dawand Jones, though Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski defended Wills on Wednesday.

"It was a poor choice of words," he told reporters. "I know the connotation of 'business decision.' That's not how he meant it. He did not feel like he was near 100 percent to help us. But a poor choice of words and he understands it."

Wills said earlier in the week that he wasn't sure if the Browns had misinterpreted his decision to not play, but said he wasn't thrilled with losing his starting spot.

"I think upset isn't a good word to use," he told reporters. "I would say it's more frustrating. But, I mean, it's not my decision. I can only do what I can do."

"You wouldn't want to go out there and put forth 70 percent of your effort while you're injured, and then you have somebody else who can go out there and give 100 percent" he added. "I don't want to be out there the whole time thinking about my knee. I got to focus on my assignment."

Stefanski said Wednesday that Wills sitting out the Ravens game didn't factor into the change in the depth chart and that the veteran offensive tackle would be given the chance to win back his starting job. For now, however, Jones will remain the starting left tackle.

Wills, 25, was the No. 10 overall selection for the Browns in the 2020 NFL draft and has started 57 of the 58 games he's played in his career. But he's on the final year of his rookie deal, and after the Browns restructured it, they would face a dead cap hit charge of $11.8 million next season if he didn't re-sign.

If Jones continues to impress and retains his starting spot, it's hard to envision Wills sticking around Cleveland. And after having his 2023 season cut short due to a torn MCL, it's easy to see why he would be cautious with an injury heading into free agency.

The 2-7 Browns, meanwhile, are probably facing a soft rebuild this offseason, given that they are stuck with Deshaun Watson and his prohibitively expensive contract. Allowing young players like Jones to show what they can do down the stretch makes sense as the Browns evaluate which players to build around in the future.