Will Kevin Stefanski pursue some his former Vikings players such as Anthony Harris and Everson Griffen? Hey, Mary Kay!

Anthony Harris

Minnesota Vikings strong safety Anthony Harris (41) during warmups prior to a game against the Detroit Lions in 2016. AP

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hey, Mary Kay!

Hey, Mary Kay: Do you think Kevin Stefanski will go after his former players like Everson Griffen and Anthony Harris? Also do you see us going after a tackle in free agency like Jack Conklin or Bryan Bulaga? — Jeff Lerner, Avon, Ohio

Hey, Jeff: I do think the Browns will have players such as Griffen, a defensive end, and Harris, a free safety, on their radar. The Browns will probably be looking to replace defensive end Olivier Vernon, who’s due to make $15.25 million next season. They won’t pay him that much, so he’ll either be gone or asked to take a paycut. If he’s gone, Griffen would be one option. An 11th-year pro, he had eight sacks in 2019 and has notched 74.5 in his 147 games.

He opted out of his contract last week and is a free agent. Stefanski was there his entire career, so knows him well. The Browns are definitely going to need more pass-rushers. Same thing with Harris if he actually hits the market. He finished with six interceptions last season and the Browns are in need of safeties. As for Conklin and Bulaga, the Browns will look into every left tackle available, and these are two of the best of the bunch. I know that Conklin intrigued the previous regime, and likely this one too, but all of the available good tackles are on the radar.

Hey Mary Kay: Do you think the Browns will trade for any big-name players this year? — Rick F. Lakeland, Ohio

Hey, Rick: With Browns GM Andrew Berry stating unequivocally that he wants to be defined by aggression, I would fully expect the Browns to seek some big-name players in trades. I’m sure they’ll look for left tackles as well as receivers, safeties and other key positions. They have some extra draft capital with which to work, and won’t be afraid to use it. It promises to be an eventful offseason, with Berry ready to put his stamp on the Browns and get this team to winning.

Hey, Mary Kay: Baker Mayfield was explaining at the end of the season that he wasn’t going to work with a quarterback guru because he knows what he needs to do being a pro QB. Alex Van Pelt recently said that Baker needs to significantly improve his footwork. Has Baker scheduled dates (or planning to outside OTAs and mini-camps) this off-season workouts with Van Pelt individually? — Jeffrey A Jones, Strongsville, Ohio

Hey, Jeffrey: The Browns are bound by the rules of the CBA and aren’t permitted to work with Mayfield outside of the offseason program. Once it begins, there are also very strict rules about what can be done and when. But Van Pelt has already given Mayfield marching orders about leading with his left foot in the shotgun and on three-step drops, and has asked him to start working on it. Once they get back together for the offseason program April 6, he’ll be able to dig in and work with him individually. Doubling as the QB coach, Van Pelt will be very hands on with Mayfield and tweak his mechanics wherever necessary.

Hey, Mary Kay: Why was the Browns brass afraid to keep Gregg Williams as head coach and Freddie Kitchens as offensive coordinator two years ago? Just do not hear anything on this. — Marty Cingle, Wadsworth, Ohio

Hey, Marty: Gregg Williams was hired by Hue Jackson, and most of the coaches on that staff were hired by him. Once the Browns fired him, they wanted to start fresh with mostly new coaches. For that reason, Williams never had a real chance. Kitchens, brought in by former Browns offensive coordinator Todd Haley, was never a Jackson guy, so the Browns had no problem keeping him.

Hey, Mary Kay: How much credit does John Dorsey get for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win? — Jacob Blazer, Jackson, Ohio

Hey, Jacob: Dorsey deserves plenty of credit because he drafted Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and others. He was responsible for acquiring many of the players that contributed to that victory. Granted, they overhauled the defense after he left, and current GM Brett Veach is credited with finding Mahomes, but Dorsey’s fingerprints were still all over that roster.

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