The Cleveland Browns are making significant changes in an effort to rejuvenate their struggling offense, as head coach Kevin Stefanski has announced that he will step back from offensive play-calling responsibilities for the second consecutive season. Stefanski will hand over the play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, a decision he expressed confidence in by stating that Rees “understands what we need to do, which is stay on the field and score some points.”
This move comes amid a dismal 2-6 record for the Browns, who find themselves at the bottom of the AFC North standings. The team ranks an alarming 31st in total offense and passing, with a 29th position in rushing, and is only able to muster an average of 15.8 points per game, placing them 30th in scoring.
Cleveland’s offensive struggles have compounded over the season. Initially, they started with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who led the team to a 1-3 start before being benched for rookie Dillon Gabriel. The Browns then traded Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals, where he has significantly improved his performance, boasting 11 touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 102.6 in just four games—dramatically better than his numbers with the Browns. In contrast, Gabriel has had a rocky start, managing only five touchdowns compared to two interceptions.
Stefanski has indicated that Gabriel will remain the starter, overlooking the possibility of deploying rookie Shedeur Sanders as an alternative. Unfortunately for the Browns, their offensive conditions have not improved with the quarterback change—Gabriel has also struggled, averaging just 117 yards per game.
These changes come in the wake of ongoing frustrations from the franchise, particularly following quarterback Deshaun Watson’s acquisition. Since joining the Browns on a massive five-year contract worth $230 million fully guaranteed, Watson’s performance has not met expectations. Injuries and setbacks have plagued him, keeping him on the physically unable to perform list and contributing to a lackluster team performance overall.
Stefanski, in his sixth year with the Browns, faces the possibility of finishing with his fourth losing season. The team had high hopes that acquiring Watson would be the answer to elevate them into contention, particularly after a promising 11-6 season in 2023. However, the Browns’ status as one of the league’s least successful teams continues, leaving fans and management hopeful that new leadership on offense will spark a turnaround. With potential still evident in their roster, the upcoming weeks will be crucial for the Browns as they seek to revive their season and restore faith in their offensive capabilities.