Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. explained on Monday that he made a “business decision” to sit out the October 27 game against the Baltimore Ravens, a choice that led to significant backlash from fans and media. The criticism, particularly regarding his wording, seems to have played a role in Wills being benched.
Speaking to reporters after the Browns returned from their bye week, Wills, the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, clarified that his decision to skip the game came after he had been dealing with an injury since the Bengals game. Until that point, Wills had started every game for Cleveland at left tackle, but in the previous game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Dawand Jones took over at left tackle, with Wills playing only two snaps.
Wills, who is earning $14.175 million this season compared to Jones’ $915,000, explained that he opted not to play against the Ravens because his injury made it difficult to perform at his best.
“It was pretty shocking,” Wills said. “After the Bengals game, I made a business decision not to play against the Ravens because I was injured. Then the next week, I got the news.”
Wills had missed the final nine games of the 2023 season due to a torn MCL in his right knee, and he also sat out three of the first four games in 2024. However, he had played every snap in the three games leading up to the Ravens game before ultimately sitting out.
He revealed that his knee injury worsened during the October 20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite finishing the game, he was in considerable pain afterward.
“I got hyperextended on the first play. I felt it, but I stayed in. I figured if it hurt later, I’d come out. But I finished the game. The next day, my knee was swollen, and I couldn’t bend it,” he explained.
Wills added that he was dealing with cartilage damage and a bone bruise, along with the swelling. He had fluid drained from the knee and didn’t practice leading up to the Ravens game. Despite this, he insisted the decision not to play was his own.
“I didn’t want to go out there and give 70 percent while someone else could give 100 percent,” Wills said. “In the past, when I played through high ankle sprains, I didn’t perform well. Why risk a worse knee injury?”
Before the Chargers game, Wills had participated in practice on a limited basis before being a full participant on Friday, but the Browns opted to start Jones at left tackle.
“I wouldn’t say upset is the right word,” Wills said. “It was more frustrating, but it wasn’t my decision. I can only control what I can control.”
With a 2-7 record coming off their bye week, the Browns will return to action this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
