Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Monday that he will pass playcalling responsibilities to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees for the upcoming game against the New York Jets. This decision marks the second consecutive season in which Stefanski has opted to step back from calling plays, aiming to improve the team’s performance as they return from a bye week with a record of 2-6.
“I have a ton of trust and faith in Tommy,” Stefanski stated during a press conference. “He’s more than capable, so excited for him. But bottom line is we have to just get better collectively.” Stefanski emphasized his belief in Rees, who has been with the organization since 2024, serving first as the tight ends coach and later as a pass game specialist.
Under Rees’s guidance, the Browns hope to reverse their fortunes. Currently, the team ranks as the third-lowest scoring offense in the NFL, averaging just 15.8 points per game. A change at quarterback was implemented four games into the season when veteran Joe Flacco was benched in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel. Despite this transition, the offense has struggled to find its rhythm.
Gabriel, selected 94th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, has completed 59.9% of his passes this season, totaling 702 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. His Total Quarterback Rating (QBR) of 26.8 places him near the bottom among starters, just ahead of Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward. Stefanski confirmed that Gabriel will remain the starting quarterback, a decision he made prior to the bye week.
Backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders did not participate in practice on Monday due to a lingering back injury, which had kept him inactive in Week 8. The Browns continue to monitor his condition, but there has been no specific update on his status.
Rees’s experience includes a previous role as the offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama for the 2023 season, as well as a stint at the University of Notre Dame from 2020 to 2022. Last season, the Browns made a similar move when Stefanski handed playcalling to then-offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey after struggling offensively. That decision came amid a series of injuries, including the season-ending Achilles injury of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Dorsey was dismissed after the 2024 season concluded.
As the Browns prepare for their matchup against the Jets, Stefanski confirmed that the practice window for Watson remains closed this week, as he continues to recover from his injury. The team is eager to see if the shift in playcalling will lead to improvements on the field as they look to regain momentum in the second half of the season.
