Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford is catching flak for recent social media posts expressing his unhappiness with his role.
Ford is the No. 3 running back on the depth chart in Cleveland, behind rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. Ford played a significant role for the Browns in recent seasons, especially when Nick Chubb was sidelined. Heading into the season, he had totalled 1,390 rushing yards and seven touchdowns with a solid, but inconsistent output.
However, the Browns made it clear through the draft that they planned to go younger at the position, letting Chubb walk in free agency, then drafting Judkins in the second round and Sampson in the fourth. Ford agreed to a pay cut this offseason to remain with the Browns.
Ford has registered just 21 carries for 73 yards this season. He also has 21 catches for 76 yards but has not scored a touchdown this season. Ford had just one touch in the Browns’ most recent loss to the New England Patriots.
The Browns decided not to trade Ford at the deadline, which may have given him a shot a being a larger part of the game plan elsewhere. Browns reporter Brad Stainbrook noticed some notable action from Ford after the deadline passed.
“Just one day after the NFL trade deadline passed, Browns RB Jerome Ford reposted two TikTok videos about being unhappy at work,” Stainbrook said.
Browns Fans Not Feeling Sympathy for Jerome Ford
Ford’s social media activity went viral and he received very little sympathy from Browns’ fans.
“Jerome you were jumped in the depth chart by two rookies. It shows you didn’t get the job down when called upon and you just were not good enough,” one fan said. “Just be happy you can make that type of money being a scrub bro.”
Another added, “I guarantee if anyone offered a 7th round pick, the Browns would have jumped. Nobody wants that scrub.”
“The funny thing is, we’re also unhappy with Jerome Ford’s work,” a fan said.
It’s unlikely Ford will get back into the mix the rest of the way. Judkins appears to be a star in the making and leads the Browns with 486 yards and five touchdowns through seven games played. Cleveland hasn’t showcased Sampson too much in recent weeks, but he’s shown upside as a change of pace to Judkins.
Browns Changing Offensive Approach
The Browns will enter Week 10 with an offensive shift. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will now call the plays, taking that duty from head coach Kevin Stefanski. It’s not expected to be a major shift but the Browns are hoping it can provide a spark for the unit that has produced just 15.8 points per game.
“I came to Cleveland to work for Kevin. That’s really the reason I took this job two years ago,” Rees said of the shift. “I think the timing of it, you have a bye week, you have some time to step away and look at things through a different perspective. We want to create a spark for the offense. Whatever they want me to do, whatever is asked me to help us win games, that’s what I want to do at the highest level.”
The Browns will continue to roll with Dillon Gabriel as their starting quarterback. The rookie is 1-3 as the starter in Cleveland, passing for just 702 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Browns do get the benefit of facing the New York Jets in their first game out of the break. The Jets were sellers at the trade deadline, shipping away two Pro Bowl defenders in cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
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