Hue Jackson's eyes were bloodshot, the result of little sleep.
Poor guy's worn out. Coaching the Browns has been physically and mentally draining, tougher than ever.
Jackson, though, will finally get a break and should be able to get some needed rest now that the nightmarish 1-15 season has ended.
"Amen," said Browns vice president of football operations Sashi Brown.
The Browns knew rebuilding would be painful, but they never expected to go through what they did in 2016, when inexperience combined with injuries and ineptitude resulted in one of the worst seasons the NFL has ever seen.
On Monday, Jackson, Brown and strategy director Paul DePodesta spent 35 minutes doing their autopsy on a season they can't wait to forget. The Browns lost their first 14 games before beating San Diego to avoid joining the 2008 Detroit Lions in the exclusive 0-16 club.
There were a few bright spots, but not enough of them as Cleveland's first season under a new coach and front office produced just one win.
Cleveland was at or near the bottom in virtually every meaningful statistical category, and finished last — again — in the AFC North. The climb to the top appears as steep as ever.
"We do have pieces," Jackson said. "We do have guys that can play in the AFC North. We just need more of them to get to where we want to be."
On the positive side, the Browns will have the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft, another opportunity to perhaps find a franchise quarterback. Cleveland elected not to go after one last year, trading the No. 2 overall selection to Philadelphia for another first-rounder in 2017 and a second-rounder in 2018.
This year, the plan was to see if Robert Griffin III could be the long-term answer, but the season ended without any resolution after RG3 was limited to five games because of injury.
Jackson has been a strong supporter of Griffin's, but he was noncommittal when asked if the Browns had found their quarterback. Jackson wanted to watch more game film on Griffin, who signed a two-year deal in March. The Browns have to decide whether to pay him a $750,000 roster bonus in March or let him leave as a free agent.
Jackson, who was forced to make six changes at starting quarterback this season because of injuries, said Griffin made some progress but the Browns need more from their quarterbacks.
The search continues.
"We are going to find a quarterback that is going to come here and play winning, championship football, but I think it is too early to talk about 'Do you have him yet?' Do you not have him yet?'" Jackson said. "Here comes the draft. Here comes other opportunities to add more players to our team. My job and our job is to make sure we have them here. Obviously, we are 1-15.
"Everything would say maybe we don't, but I think you also have to put it all into the pot."
