Browns Kevin Stefanski on Release of Perrion Winfrey: "Disappointing. I Wish Him Well."

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski addressed Perrion Winfrey's release in his first media ability since the move was made. A move that needed to happen should've been done in April when he was arrested the first time.

When Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked about the release of second-year defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey, he was short and to the point. 

"Disappointing. I wish him well." 

Unfortunately for both the Browns and Winfrey, it may have been disappointing, but it was hardly surprising. Winfrey's track record since entering the league has been fraught with poor decisions and outright stupidity. Winfrey was dysfunctional and refused to get out of his own way despite multiple opportunities. Frankly, too many.

The Browns arrived at The Greenbrier and had their first practice on Saturday. That was the first time head coach Stefanski spoke to the public since Winfrey's release on Wednesday.

In his rookie year, Winfrey was unreliable, consistently late to meetings and practices, which prompted teammates to demand the team hold him responsible. Winfrey also missed time after suffering a concussion suffered in an accident while riding a scooter. Irresponsible, which was one of the labels he had coming out of Oklahoma when the Browns drafted him in the fourth round.

This offseason with an opportunity for a fresh start, Winfrey was arrested for assaulting a woman in Texas, allegedly grabbing and injury her over a dispute in public over a rental car. The Browns should have cut bait at that point.

After a year with a defense that lacked leadership and professionalism in no small part to the number of young players they had, they needed to move on to a unit with adults. Winfrey once again reminded the team he isn't one and they shouldn't have pretended the issue was going to resolve itself, even as he enrolled in a pre-trial diversion program. All that proved to do was get him out of the charges for the incident.

The Browns kept him, allowing the legal process to play out and he rewarded them with public embarrassment. This time, it was caught on tape, which is all too often necessary to result in action. He gave them no choice but to release him and sadly it required them to take the hit of having Cleveland Browns attached to his name while assaulting another woman, this time in Cleveland.

Damn Perrion Winfrey.. pic.twitter.com/XabG9M7lSt

— ‏ً (@CleveIandOhio) July 19, 2023

Since the investment in Winfrey was low, a fourth-round pick, the Browns shouldn't have been afraid to move on from Winfrey quicker. The Browns bet on perceived talent (which was debatable even when they took him) and they do attempt to help players become better people, but nothing Winfrey has done suggests he had any interest in making a change.

It's up to Winfrey to decide how much he needs to lose before he figures out he has to mature. For the Browns, if they choose to bet on character issues, they need to have a shorter leash. Mostly, they should just avoid dysfunctional players in the first place. A fourth round pick isn't a major loss, but it's still an opportunity to get a contributor and they have nothing to show for it. They need to sign another defensive tackle.