Cleveland Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. has revealed why he opted to sit out of a recent game, and how it has now seemingly led to his reduced role with the team.
A massive second-year right tackle, James was moved to the left side in favor of Dawand James for the recent loss to the LA Chargers, and he has now opened up more about his bizarre situation.
According to Wills, it was his decision to declare himself injured on October 27 that may have led to this month’s demotion by the coach.
Talking to reporters Monday, Wills admitted he made a ‘business decision’ to sit out on October 27 game against Baltimore because he hyperextended his surgically repaired left knee a week earlier and didn’t want to suffer any further injury. 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 decided myself. I made a business decision not to play after the Bengals game going into that Ravens game because I was injured. And then the next week is when I received the news.’
Typically NFL players don’t lose their starting position due to injury, but Wills said coach Kevin Stefanski told him he would no longer start but instead serve as a ‘swing’ tackle.’ He backed up both Jones and right tackle Jack Conklin for the November 3 loss to the Chargers.
Fifth-year Cleveland Browns tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. is in the last year of his contract
Wills was asked if the Browns misinterpreted his decision to sit out.
‘I’m not sure,’ he said. ‘Maybe.’
Wills understands the situation, but that doesn’t make it any easier on the agreeable 25-year-old.
‘I think upset isn’t a good word to use,’ he said when asked about his feelings. ‘I would say it´s more frustrating. But, I mean, it´s not my decision. I can only do what I can do.’
From their side, the Browns may have been making their own business decision in demoting Wills.
He is in the final year of his rookie contract ($14.175 million) and it’s possible 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 an injured Conklin and the Browns may want to see if he can be their left-side anchor.
The team restructured his deal to make it more salary-cap friendly, and if he doesn’t re-sign with Cleveland, the Browns will take a $11.8 million cap hit in 2025.
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski demoted Wills in favor of Dawand James
Wills doesn’t regret sitting out last month. He played with ankle injuries early in his career instead of taking more time off.
‘You wouldn´t want to go out there and put forth 70 percent of your effort while you´re injured, and then you have somebody else who can go out there and give 100 percent,’ he said. ‘I don´t want to be out there the whole time thinking about my knee. I got to focus on my assignment.’
A first-round draft pick in 2020 out of Alabama, Wills had started all 57 games in which he was healthy before the demotion.
For now, Will wants to stay locked in on the present. He said his decision to not play had nothing to do with his future.
‘I don´t think I would play hurt regardless of any time it was in my career,’ Wills said. ‘If I´m healthy enough to play, I´ll play. If I´m not healthy enough to play, then I won´t play.’
Whether he plays for the Browns next season is uncertain, but he insists he still likes it in Cleveland.
‘I like wherever I´m wanted,’ he said. ‘You know what I mean?’
