The Browns hosted honorees of The Keepers Foundation at the OTA session

Kelsey Russo

The Browns officially kicked off organized team activities (OTAs) on May 27 and held their second OTA session on Wednesday. They will hold a total of six practices ahead of mandatory veteran minicamp set for June 10-12.

"I thought it was really good work," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "The guys are doing everything we're asking of them both in the meeting room, the weight room, out here on the practice field. As coaches, we love Phase Three. It's finally when we get to go against each other, offense, defense, and get to really simulate practice in a lot of ways. So just getting into Phase Three with this first week of OTAs, I think the guys are doing a really nice job."

Here are the top pieces of news from Stefanski's time with the media, as well as practice observations.

Practice Observations

In one of the early portions of practice, all four quarterbacks inJoe Flacco,Kenny Pickett,Dillon GabrielandShedeur Sanderseach took reps throwing to different receivers and running backs who, after catching the pass, turned and tucked the ball to run through pads as to work on ball protection. In another portion of drills, the quarterbacks mirrored reps as they threw to different pass catchers. Flacco and Pickett threw simultaneously while Gabriel and Sanders took the next set of reps.

In different drills throughout the session, Flacco and Pickett took a majority of the first reps, but they rotated through who took the first set of reps. The Browns also worked in the rookie quarterbacks into reps in periods throughout the OTA session.

"We're mixing it up every single day," Stefanski said. "We're just trying to get guys exposure to different concepts, those type of things. So, it varies by walkthrough. It can vary by drill. It's not something that we're really we're not leaning into or worried about the order at this moment."

TDawand Jones, who missed the final seven games of the 2024 season with a leg fracture that required surgery, was a participant in the second day of OTAs. He participated in some individual drills with the offensive line, as well as took some reps in offense-only drills and 11-on-11 drills.

"He's doing a nice job," Stefanski said of Jones. "Coach (Mike) Bloomgren, Coach (Ben) Wilkerson, Coach (Sanders) Davis. They're working really hard with all those guys and pushing them. And there's a lot of new things that they're learning whether technique or terminology, whatever it may be. And he's embracing that. He's here every day, pushing very hard."

The receiving corps showed up on Day 2 of OTAs. WRCedric Tillmancaught a pass from Pickett down the sideline in an 11-on-11 period. WRJerry Jeudycaught numerous passes, one from Pickett in a 7-on-7 period and another on a deep ball down the sideline from Flacco in 11-on-11s. WRJamari Thrashalso caught an intermediate pass from Pickett in the middle of the field. For one period, the wider receivers also worked on one-handed catches. Jeudy, Tillman and Thrash each took turns catching passes from wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea as they held onto the goal post with one hand and used their other to catch the ball.

The defense also had a number of moments throughout the OTA session. CBDenzel Wardbroke up a pass Flacco threw intending for Thrash. LBMohamoud Diabatealso had two breakups of his own, one on a pass Pickett intended for Thrash and another on pass intended for TEBlake Whiteheart. Rookie DTMason Grahambatted down a pass from Gabriel during an 11-on-11 period.

Quarterback reps for all four QBs

During different periods of practice, the Browns split into two fields and ran two sets of drills simultaneously to give all four quarterbacks reps. Flacco and Pickett worked in one unit, taking turns with reps, while Gabriel and Sanders worked with the other unit. Different periods consisted of 7-on-7 and red zone drills.

During the red zone drills, Gabriel completed multiple throws to his pass catchers in the end zone, including passes to WRKisean Johnson, TEBrenden Batesand TETre' McKitty. Sanders also connected with Bates and McKitty in the end zone on two reps.

Stefanski said running the two drills not only creates the opportunity to give reps, but it also maximizes their time out on the practice field.

"I think everybody understands where they're supposed to be and when they're supposed to be there," Stefanski said. "There's a little bit of directing traffic when you've got two drills going on at one time, but they've done a really nice job. The players and coaches are making sure that we're practicing in a safe way. We're getting good looks for our guys to learn from on both sides of the ball and not asking more than we need to of the guys physically."

Keepers Foundation honorees attend practice

During Wednesday's practice, the Browns celebrated Keepers Day by wearing t-shirts and hosting guests at the second OTA session to recognize and support Northeast Ohio nonprofit organizations that are creating lasting, positive impact in their communities.

"I also want to just thank Dee and Jimmy (Haslam) and JW (Johnson) and Whitney (Haslam Johnson) and allowing the Keepers Foundation to have a presence today," Stefanski said. "We have a whole group out here of pillars in our community that we wanted to recognize and partner with, and that's who's out here. So, we're very fortunate to have a group out here that really supports the community, and we're proud to be a part of it."

Those organizations honored included Children's Hunger Alliance, Cleveland Recreation Centers, Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio (DSANEO), Hope Ignites (formerly Boys Hope Girls Hope), Merrick House, MyCom, Providence House and The Littlest Heroes. Following practice, representatives of those organizations had the chance to interact with players and coaches. Each organization also received a donation from The Keepers Foundation to support their work in the community.

The Keepers Foundation, founded by Stefanski and the Stefanski family, is a nonprofit that seeks to raise funds to support young individuals in Northeast Ohio by fostering a sense of shared responsibility, creating support programs and initiatives aimed at empowering individuals through educational opportunities, mentorship programs or access to essential resources.

In its first year, the Foundation granted over $125,000 to local nonprofits whose missions are to empower, inspire and uplift youth throughout the region. Now in its second year, the Foundation recently held its second "Under the Lights Camp" at Huntington Bank Field on May 15. The Foundation also recently announced an upcoming event, Night Out By The Lake 2025, which will take place on June 12.