The Cleveland Browns made a drastic and abrupt move by firing offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt in January. Weeks after that decision, the reason why has become clear.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated appeared on the Friday, February 2 edition of the “Zolak and Bertrand Show” out of Boston, where Van Pelt will serve as the next offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots.

During the radio hit, Breer reported two pieces of news of considerable consequence to Cleveland. The first was that Deshaun Watson is the reason the front office gave Van Pelt the ax — with the QB’s lack of progress over the past two years serving as the sticking point. The second was that members of the coaching staff “were floored” by the decision considering Van Pelt’s pivotal role within the organization.

The reason he was let go in Cleveland was because ownership and [chief strategy officer] Paul DePodesta, not [head coach] Kevin Stefanski, were frustrated with the progress Deshaun Watson has made. I don’t think the people who made that decision really knew [Van Pelt’s] value to that staff. Other people on that staff … were floored when they fired him for two reasons.

Number one: how do you fire the offensive coordinator after you just won 11 games with four different quarterbacks, your fourth and fifth tackles [and] without Nick Chubb?

The other reason is the real key, though. He was the glue of that staff. [Stefanski], if you know him, is a great guy, but he’s not the most outgoing guy. His personality is very dry. He’s got a good sense of humor, but he’s not this outwardly gregarious guy. Alex was the one that held that staff together — when guys were coming out, when guys were coming in. He is a guy who was a unifying force in that building.