Browns’ Head Coach Stefanski Hands Play-Calling to Rees

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is making a significant shift in strategy as he hands over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. This change comes ahead of the team’s upcoming game against the New York Jets.

Background on the Coaching Change

This is Stefanski’s second consecutive season where he has decided to step back from play-calling responsibilities. He expressed confidence in Rees’s capabilities, emphasizing the need for improvement in the team’s offensive performance.

Stefanski’s Trust in Rees

• Stefanski acknowledged Rees’s potential, stating, “I have a ton of trust and faith in Tommy.”
• He praised Rees for his previous contributions since joining the Browns in 2024.
• Stefanski believes the timing is right for this transition to boost the team’s performance.

Cleveland’s Struggling Offense

The Browns currently rank as one of the lowest-scoring teams in the NFL, only averaging 15.8 points per game. The offense has struggled significantly this season, leading to a change at quarterback.

Quarterback Situation

After benching veteran Joe Flacco four games into the season, the Browns turned to rookie Dillon Gabriel, who was selected with the 94th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite his efforts, the offense has not seen substantial improvement.

• Gabriel has a completion rate of 59.9%.
• He has recorded 702 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions.
• His Total QBR of 26.8 places him near the bottom among quarterbacks.

Stefanski confirmed Gabriel would remain the starting quarterback moving forward. Meanwhile, backup Shedeur Sanders is dealing with a back injury, which kept him out of practice.

Rees’s Coaching Resume

Tommy Rees brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He joined the Browns as a tight ends coach and pass game specialist in 2024, after serving as the offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama in 2023. Before that, he held the same position at the University of Notre Dame from 2020 to 2022.

Previous Coaching Changes

Last season, Stefanski handed over play-calling duties to Ken Dorsey mid-season. This transition occurred after quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Ultimately, Dorsey was let go after the 2024 season.

As of now, the team has not made any new updates regarding Watson, who remains on the physically unable to perform list. The Browns are looking for solutions to revive their underperforming offense in the upcoming games.