The Cleveland Browns could have a kicker controversy, but coach Kevin Stefanski isn’t hoping that will happen.
The Browns released Dustin Hopkins as Andre Szmyt won the kicking job out of training camp. Yet, in Week 1, Szmyt went 1-for-2 on field goals and 1-for-2 on extra points, and those points proved to be crucial in a 17-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
After the game, many fans called for Szmyt to be cut, but Stefanski says he will handle the kicking duties in Week 2 as the team has full confidence in him.
“He will, yeah,” Stefanski said on September 10, if Szmyt will be the kicker on Sunday. “You know, young player, will only get better. Obviously, he wants to come through in those moments, we expect him to come through in those moments. But just like any player on our roster, we’ll continue to get better. We have a ton of confidence because of what we’ve seen from this young man.”
The Browns didn’t work out any kickers this week after Szmyt’s struggles, showing that the coaching staff is still confident in Szmyt.
Szmyt went undrafted in 2023 and spent the 2024 season in the UFL before signing with the Browns and winning the kicking job.
Cleveland is on the road to play the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.
Browns Players Confident in Szmyt
Stefanski isn’t the only person confident in Szmyt.
Browns quarterback Joe Flacco and star pass rusher Myles Garrett both expressed their confidence in Szmyt after Week 1.
“Of course,” Flacco said when asked if he’s happy Szmyt is getting another chance. “No, I did not have the conversation yet over darts. We haven’t played yet this week, but of course I’m glad. Listen, that’s what this league’s about. It’s next game up, next play up. All that really matters is what you do come going forward. So, I’m excited for him, and I’m excited for our team, you know, always to get that next opportunity.”
Despite Szmyt missing some key kicks in Week 1, he’s ready to prove his teammates and coaches right for continuing to believe in him in Week 2.
“It feels good that they believed in me. I kind of flushed last weekend, just focused on this weekend… It feels good that I have the support from the teammates,” Szmyt said. “So I just want to go out there and put my best foot forward and bounce back.”
Szmyt played college football at Syracuse.
Szmyt Focusing on Week 2
Following a disappointing Week 1, Szmyt says he’s already flushed it and is focused on performing in Week 2.
Szmyt says kickers need to have a short-term memory, and he says he’s focused on making the adjustments.
“I think I put my best foot forward in the offseason, in training camp, preseason,” Szmyt said. “So like I talked about it at the end of preseason, hitting the game-winner, not letting the highs get too high and not think the lows get too low. So now obviously it sucks, but you move on and move on to this week.”
Szmyt says that after watching the film, he realized he cut across the ball at the last second, which is a change he can easily correct.
“Just need to get through it more and just stay with the kick,” Szmyt added.
Szmyt and the Browns are 11.5-point underdogs on Sunday.
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