The Browns edged the Carolina Panthers 26-24 on Sunday in the regular-season opener because of their cool and calm, as they refused to come unglued when they fell behind 24-23 on a field goal with just over a minute left.

They took the ensuing kickoff and marched down the field to set up Cade York to boot the 58-yard game-winning field goal.

That was due in no small part to the leadership of head coach Kevin Stefanski. A team reflects the personality of its head coach, and that is so true with the Browns.

Stefanski is by no means perfect — I still can’t figure out why he kept trotting out Baker Mayfield last season despite the fact the quarterback was injured and severely limited — but I really like his calm and refusal to get rattled. With his actions and words, he is always under control. With that, then, he was able to steer the Browns through the chaos of training camp brought about by the Deshaun Watson situation. As best as could be expected, he kept the team from getting sucked into that ugly vortex.

And here’s something else: I would bet a dollar to a doughnut that he was the last member of the Browns’ chief people to sign off on the trade for Watson. His morals kept telling him that it was a bad idea.

I can identify with that.

I am also happy that Kevin Stefanski is head coach of the Browns.

Steve King