Browns coach Kevin Stefanski takes back play-calling role following 3-14 season, coordinator switch

By Canadian Press on January 23, 2025.

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Browns coach Kevin Stefanski will reassume play-calling duties following a 3-14 season and despite making a change at offensive coordinator.

While introducing new coordinator Tommy Rees on Wednesday, Stefanski, who had exclusively called plays during his first four years with Cleveland before turning them over midway through last season to Ken Dorsey, said he’s reverting to his former ways.

“As far as play calling, which I know you guys are going to ask,” Stefanski told reporters, “I’m going to call plays and I reserve the right to change my mind.”

Following the Browns’ dismal season, Stefanski fired Dorsey and promoted Rees, who was Cleveland’s tight ends coach.

Stefanski had refrained from letting anyone else call plays before surrendering the role to Dorsey one week after the Browns lost quarterback Deshaun Watson to a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture.

Rees takes over a Browns offense that averaged an NFL-low 15.2 points per game this season. The team is once against searching for a quarterback following Watson’s struggles and due to him suffering a second Achilles injury.

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Tom Withers, The Associated Press