Wyatt Teller made his 100th NFL start against the San Francisco 49ers but it wasn’t a normal afternoon for the Cleveland Browns’ offensive guard.
The Browns decided to rotate Teller — a three-time Pro Bowler — with backup Teven Jenkins against the 49ers. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said it was his decision, not an injury, that led to the decision.
“I rotated Teven throughout the game. I wanted to see Teven in this game,” Stefanski said. “You know, obviously want to always get our guys as many reps as we can.”
Teller addressed the unusual move after the game and what he was told about it.
“Probably along the lines of not playing well enough, I feel like that’s obvious,” Teller said. “There’s a lot of stuff as a personal player, I need to improve on.”
Wyatt Teller Confident in Browns’ Young Team
Teller is a mauler on the inside and has been among the best guards in the league. However, he is having a down year. Teller has allowed 23 pressures and three sacks this season, per PFF. His 60.4 grade ranks 65th among 81 qualifying offensive guards.
Teller is 31 years old and sounded open to serving as a mentor to Jenkins or any other young player on the roster.
“Whatever it takes,” Teller said. “Things that I prepare or the way that I’ve done stuff, just how can I help other players, younger players, or anybody.”
The Browns fell to 3-9 with the loss, which featured many avoidable miscues. Teller pointed to Cleveland’s young roster, which features multiple rookies contributing at key positions.
“I think that we’re a young team. It takes a long time to gain that experience and that maturity,” Teller said. “We’re going to be fine. We have unbelievably talented young guys, a very talented team, you just have to have your eyes in the right spot and execute. That’s really what it comes down to operational execution.”
Wyatt Teller Wants to Remain With Browns
Teller drew interest at the trade deadline, and his resume made him an appealing target. The veteran guard is a two-time All-Pro in the final year of his contract, a combination that could have made him a valuable acquisition for a contender.
Instead, the Browns held on to him, and Teller said he intends to remain in Cleveland long term as the team works to reestablish a winning identity.
“I don’t want to tuck tail and leave because I feel like a couple years ago we were that close to being in the AFC Championship,” Teller said earlier this month. “That’s just mindboggling for any Cleveland Browns fan. Because it’s just been since the ’80s since we’ve done it. We used to do it consistently, so how can we bring that culture back that goes to the playoffs, that has a winning team, that it’s not the same old Cleveland Browns?
“And I feel like we were right there and then just kind of took a step back. But I’m not blind to the fact that we’re right there. And again, as bad as the season is viewed or perceived, we’re like two or three plays away from a lot different season. Now how can we be more consistent and win, and that’s what good teams do late.”
Teller will now have to wait and see what the rest of the season holds after working in a rotation against the 49ers.
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