Cleveland Browns' Mike Pettine says staff changes likely -- if he survives

Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine, who has received no assurances from owner Jimmy Haslam about 2016, expects changes on his staff if he survives.

Pettine signed a four-year deal with a team option for the fifth year to be the team's coach early in 2014. The Browns started 7-4 a year ago but have lost 17 of their past 20 games.

Haslam said in training camp he would not "blow it up" after this season, but a 3-12 campaign has led to speculation about Pettine's future.

"Those discussions will remain between Jimmy and I,'' Pettine said Thursday. "Will there likely be some changes? If I were to stay here, it would be hard to justify keeping the staff completely together, and there likely would have to be some changes made, but I won't get into specifics."

The Browns' defense has been one of the biggest disappointments this season. The defense has fallen to 26th overall, 32nd against the run and 29th with 26.9 points allowed per game.

"It's been a source of frustration,'' Pettine said. "It's tough for me, too, when that's my area of expertise and it's an area where we've fallen short, especially this year where I felt like we've overachieved offensively. If you look at the roster, the investment, we've underachieved (on defense).

"We're not going to make excuses. It is a source of frustration, disappointment and something that myself and the defensive staff show up here every day to work and get corrected. Some areas we've gotten better and others we haven't."

Defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil, who was forced to coach most of the season without cornerback Joe Haden, said he doesn't go into any game worried about his job.

"If they want me here, I'll be here and give it everything I have," O'Neil said. "If they don't, I'll be somewhere else and be successful and give it everything that I have."

Quarterback Johnny Manziel, who is still going through the NFL concussion protocol, will not play in the Browns' season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Austin Davis will get the start.

"Do you think about it?" Pettine said of his future. "Of course you do. (But) it's not how I'm wired to be stressed about it.

"I love it here; I do. I love what I do. I know it's easy to get wrapped up and let the negativity pull you down, but I'm the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, and I will be the head coach until I'm told not to."