Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said he's '99.9 percent' sure Brook Park stadium project will happen

BEREA — Jimmy Haslam said he's "99.9 percent" sure the enclosed stadium project in Brook Park will happen after years of planning and fighting with Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb over leaving the lakefront stadium.The Browns owner was buoyed by getting $600 million for the project in the Ohio budget and isn't concerned about lingering lawsuits affecting the move. He said the $2.4 billion stadium project will hopefully begin toward the end of the year, with the groundbreaking scheduled for February. It's slated to open for the 2029 season.Training Camp Log, Day 5: More reps, more efficiency for Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders"We're very confident and very excited about it," Haslam said Tuesday before a training camp practice. "We can't be more confident."Let me say, these projects are really hard. This is a complicated project. It's 3½ years till the stadium opens and we will have to work hard every day to get everything to come together."Haslam and co-owner and wife Dee touched on a variety of topics.** A Super Bowl is possible for the Brook Park stadium.Jimmy Haslam said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told him the stadium will have enough capacity, between 65,000 and 70,000, and qualifies for hosting the league's signature event. The question is whether the wider Northeast Ohio area will have enough resources — hotels, infrastructure — to support such a large spectacle.Kevin Stefanski says Kenny Pickett will be back 'very quickly' and remains 'very, very much involved' in QB derby** Haslam said everyone in the building knows going 3-14 for a second straight season in 2025 "won't cut it" but he's supportive of general manager Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski, who are entering their sixth seasons."We've got to do better. I think we'll know what better looks like," said Haslam, who avoided setting a specific expectation for wins. "We're very supportive of Kevin and Andrew. Now do they need to do better? But so did Dee and I? And these are high-pressure jobs they have, but we really like them in their roles as coach and GM and we really like them as people."** Haslam shot down the idea he forced the pick of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round. He said the decision-makers discussed the possibility at the start of the day but it was Berry's call.Joe Flacco trying to keep turnovers down to win starting QB job** Haslam said he expects rookie running back Quinshon Judkins to eventually sign and play, adding he's "cautiously optimistic." Judkins was arrested in Florida earlier this month on a domestic violence charge and remains unsigned as the legal process continues.** The Browns have two first-round picks in 2026 and could still be looking for a long-term quarterback. Haslam and the Browns have been linked to Texas' Arch Manning in rumors because of his relationship with Peyton Manning, Arch's uncle.Haslam said he doesn't know Arch and expects him to stay in college after this year.THIS STORY WILL BE UPDATED.The post Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said he's '99.9 percent' sure Brook Park stadium project will happen first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.