Did Za’Darius Smith play his last game as a Brown? He is considered the Detroit Lions’ top target when it comes to a pass rusher. (Cleveland Browns)

Editor’s Note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.

Second thoughts on the Browns 27-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers…

1. Kevin Stefanski is in the unenviable position of trying to keep his players focused on the present while everyone else is focused on the future. While the coach trains his players to ignore the 2-7 record and play hard, General Manager Andrew Berry makes and receives calls to sign older players with non-guaranteed contracts for future draft assets. Pass rusher Za’Darius Smith remains the hottest commodity to trade, likely to Detroit. Others who fit the profile of potential trade bait include defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson, Quinton Jefferson, Maurice Hurst and Shelby Harris; edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo; safety Juan Thornhill; receiver Elijah Moore; offensive tackle Jedrick Wills; and guard Wyatt Teller. No one has guaranteed that there will be money left in their contracts. Now, don’t assume that these players are all on the trading block. But if Berry receives acceptable compensation for any of these things, I wouldn’t be surprised if a small deal is struck. Berry will also hold his annual farewell week for the press on Wednesday.

2. As something of a concession to look to the future, Stefanski confirmed that Dawand Jones would remain the left tackle ahead of Wills. “I plan on keeping him there,” Stefanski said. “He is a young player who will continue to improve. It is not perfect, there are things he can improve at, but I do believe it is best to leave him there and let him develop there.” What does it say about Wills, the No. 10 overall pick in Berry’s first draft in 2020? “I’m not trying to say anything about him,” Stefanski said still a player we believe in and at this point he has to be ready to go.”

3. Moving Jones to left tackle was one of three big changes Stefanski made two weeks ago. The others named Jameis Winston the starting quarterback to replace the injured Deshaun Watson and handed play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. Those changes resulted in a good win over the Ravens and a terrible loss for the Chargers. So what can the coach do during the bye week, which is usually reserved for the biggest changes in a season gone awry? “We will look at everything, in terms of what we can do better, but no major changes are expected,” Stefanski said.

4. Jones’ move to left tackle hints at other lineup changes ahead. It seems right and inevitable that more playing time is in store for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson; receiver Cedric Tillman, who stepped into the WR2 role after Amari Cooper was dealt to Buffalo; receiver Jamari Thrash; guard Zak Zinter; defensive tackle Michael Hall; linebackers Mohamoud Diabate, Winston Reid and Nathaniel Watson; and safety Ronnie Hickman.

5. Stefanski’s claim that Winston is the starting QB for the rest of the season has aged badly in one week. Through two starts, Winston is averaging 6.59 yards per pass attempt with five touchdowns, three interceptions and an 83.4 passer rating. That interception total could easily be doubled, or more, if not for drops by Ravens and Chargers defenders. “My focus is on us playing better as a team,” the coach said when asked about the QB situation. “Obviously there were moments yesterday where we fell short. Jameis can play better, he knows that. Turning the ball over is just no way to win in this league, he knows that. But that’s really where we are right now, just focused on getting better.”

6. Every quarterback decision the Browns make in the Stefanski-Berry era is made collectively. So I wouldn’t be surprised if the reins are handed over to Thompson-Robinson coming off the bye – despite Stefanski’s “commitment” to Winston after the Baltimore game. More likely, though, is that Winston will start the next two games: Nov. 17 in New Orleans and four nights later in November at home against Pittsburgh. 21. After that, the Browns don’t have another game until Monday night, December 2, in Denver. That mini-bye would give them 11 days to properly prepare for the DTR against the Broncos. Under this schedule, DTR could potentially start the final six games of the season, possibly with Bailey Zappe as the active QB2. The Browns to have to play DTR for an extended period to evaluate if he can compete as a “transition” starter to bridge the gap until the expected drafted quarterback can step in. (Whether the Browns actually draft a quarterback in the first round in 2025 remains to be seen, of course. But it seems like the inevitable course of action.) They also need to see if DTR can actually stay healthy for an extended stretch of games. DTR’s nine career appearances, including three starts, were certainly not impressive. But there have always been extenuating circumstances surrounding his starts. He just never had a long period of time to get into the rhythm of preparing as the starting quarterback.