Former Kevin Stefanski assistant concluded for the Browns’ quarterback coach…
During Tommy Rees’s introductory press conference last week, the Cleveland Browns disclosed who will call plays for the team in 2025. Tommy Reed was promoted to offensive coordinator. They may be looking to fill the position of quarterbacks coach after repairing the rest of their offensive coaching staff.
Rees mentioned possible adjustments to the offensive coaching staff but did not commit to hiring a QB coach. Having additional support in the most crucial room would be crucial as the team searches for a solution (or answers) at quarterback.
According to reports, Cleveland has begun the interview process.
Christian Jones was interviewed for the position by the Browns today, according to Tom Pelissero. He served a total of three seasons with the New York Giants, most recently as an assistant quarterbacks coach. Prior to that, he served as the Minnesota Vikings’ assistant wide receivers coach and offensive quality control coach from 2019 to 2021. There is a connection between the two because that 2019 season coincided with Kevin Stefanski’s tenure on the staff (and a certain Kirk Cousins was the team’s quarterback at the time).
Jones is credited on the Giants’ website with “playing a significant role in Tommy DeVito’s growth” and his rookie success.
CLEVELAND, Ohio Kevin Stefanski, the coach of the Browns, spoke for 57 seconds before avoiding the cameras on Thursday morning. In addition to outlining the hiring procedure and introducing Tommy Rees as the new offensive coordinator, he also revealed that Stefanski will be calling plays once more.
Hold on, what? Could we inquire about that?
Stefanski said, “No.” He then handed the microphone.
Rees, the former Browns ball boy who last week was appointed the NFL’s youngest offensive coordinator, had this day. Additionally, this press conference detailed Rees’s career trajectory in football, including his transition from executive’s son to Notre Dame quarterback to fast-rising coach, as well as the lessons he picked up along the way. However, this choice makes Rees’s boss the new face of Cleveland’s offense.
Greetings from the Kevin Stefanski Era of Browns football, which will be characterized by the schemes, play calls, assistants, and possibly quarterbacks the coach selects. This may sound odd coming from a sixth-year coach who has already won two Coach of the Year titles.
Up until now, Stefanski’s reputation has been based on his ability to improve the Browns’ vision. Baker Mayfield, a former first overall pick with three years remaining on his rookie contract and resolute fan backing (some fans haven’t wavered), was given to Stefanski when he was hired by Cleveland. The implicit directive is to either develop Mayfield or not apply for the position. The first returns: a success.
In addition to their first playoff victory in decades, the Browns had 11 wins in 2020. With a QBR of 65.5, Mayfield recorded his greatest rating to date. It was Stefanski’s first Coach of the Year honor. Their collaboration flourished until Mayfield’s injury one season later, at which point both sides became weary of one another.
How did Cleveland react? For the then-Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, trade Mayfield and then enough money to destroy a franchise. It should be emphasized once more that the Watson trade is the responsibility of everyone. Prior to the transfer, Stefanski was the quarterback’s pitcher in Houston. He ruined the 2024 season and the coach’s approval rating by refusing to bench Watson sooner. Both playoff appearances and these blemishes are listed on the same resume.
However, I doubt Stefanski was aware that placing a wager on Watson would mean sacrificing the team’s identity. In fact, according to a recent article from The Athletic, Stefanski pitched Cleveland’s plan to the quarterback. Watson signed a five-year contract because he loved the playbook (and/or the large check from ownership), but things swiftly changed.
Two seasons and twelve games into Watson’s stint, Stefanski brought in former Bills assistant Ken Dorsey to take Alex Van Pelt’s spot as offensive coordinator. Additionally, the head coach abandoned his wide-zone, play-action base for a collection of unsuccessful run-pass option plays. And as soon as this season, which was probably Watson’s final one in Cleveland’s plans, finished, Stefanski abandoned both changes.
Solve for X: Was Stefanski truly interested in firing Van Pelt, who was instrumental in planning the Browns’ two postseason offenses, and replacing him with a player whose mindset was at odds with Cleveland’s? Or did the coach think it was necessary?
I apologize for repeating outdated news. The new offensive coordinator for the Browns is in charge of this day. The main topic of the news conference on Thursday was Rees’s football philosophy. His boss’s speech lasted just 57 seconds.
However, now that this offensive reads like a blank page in Stefanski’s playbook, every statement he makes and every choice he takes are accentuated. Teams create rosters that work with their plan when they don’t have a standout quarterback. Teams plan plays according to their head coach’s ideology when they lack a quarterback or an experienced coordinator. According to that reasoning, Stefanski has greater authority now than he did during the previous five seasons.
And the greatest responsibility? Yes. The most to take into consideration? You wager. In the NFL, are fireability and accountability interchangeable? You’re skilled in this.
However, Stefanski has previously attempted to marry his concept to one quarterback and switch it to another. He’s redesigning Cleveland’s offense the way a single guy redecorates—his playbook, his assistants, his taste—after one football divorce and an impending separation.
I wonder if he will select a QB.
