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cleveland browns Left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. recently revealed why he decided to sit out a game and how it reduced his role on the team.
James, a huge second-year right tackle, was moved to the left side in favor of Dawand James for the recent loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and now he’s opening up more about his bizarre situation.
According to Wills, His decision to declare himself injured on October 27 may have led to the coach’s demotion this month.
In an interview with reporters Monday, Wills admitted he made a “business decision” not to play in the Oct. 27 game against Baltimore because he hyperextended his surgically repaired left knee a week earlier and did not want to injure it further. I did it. As a result, Wills explained, he lost his starting job to the 6-foot-8, 374-pound James.
‘It was pretty shocking,’ he said Monday as the Browns returned from their bye week. ‘I mean, I made my own decision. I made a business decision not to attend the Ravens game after the Bengals game because I was injured. Then the next week I heard about it.’
Typically, NFL players don’t lose their starting positions due to injuries, but Wills said coach Kevin Stefanski told him he would no longer start and instead serve as a ‘swing’ tackle.’ He backed up both Jones and right tackle Jack Conklin during the Nov. 3 loss to the Chargers.
Cleveland Browns tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. is entering the final year of his contract.” class=”blkBorder img-share”/>
Fifth-year Cleveland Browns tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. is entering the final year of his contract.
Wills was asked if the Browns misinterpreted his decision to leave his position.
‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘maybe.’
Wills understands the situation, but that doesn’t make things any easier for the cheery 25-year-old.
When asked about his feelings, he said, ‘I don’t think ‘angry’ is a good word. ‘I think it would be more frustrating if I said that. But what I mean is, it’s not my decision. I can only do what I can do.’
For their part, the Browns may have been making their own business decision to demote Wills.
He is in the final year of his rookie contract ($14.175 million) and it’s possible that Cleveland’s front office no longer views him as part of its future. The 6-foot-8, 375-pound Jones performed well as a rookie while replacing the injured Conklin, and the Browns may want to see if he can be the left side anchor.
The team restructured his contract to make it more salary cap-friendly, and if he doesn’t re-sign with Cleveland, the Browns will have a cap hit of $11.8 million in 2025.
Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski demoted Wills and selected Dawand James.
Wills has no regrets about being away for the past month. He suffered an ankle injury early in his career and played for more minutes off the clock.
‘You don’t want to go out there injured and give 70% effort. Then there will be other people who can go out there and give 100%,’ he said. ‘I don’t want to be there all the time thinking about my knees. I have to focus on my mission.’
Wills, a 2020 first-round draft pick out of Alabama, started all 57 games when healthy before being demoted.
For now, Will wants to stay stuck in the present. He said his decision not to play had nothing to do with his future.
“I’m not going to make a play that gets me hurt at any time in my career,” Wills said. ‘If I’m healthy enough to play, I’ll play. If I’m not healthy enough to play, I won’t play.’
It’s unclear whether he will play for the Browns next season, but he insists he still loves playing in Cleveland.
‘I like wherever I want,’ he said. ‘Do you know what I mean?’
