The Browns have a new offensive coordinator, but they’re returning to an old structure with head coach Kevin Stefanski re-assuming the team’s play-calling duties.
Stefanski announced Thursday that he’ll call the plays in 2025 but said, “I reserve the right to change my mind.” Stefanski made the announcement as the Browns formally introduced new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.
Rees, 32, spent last season as the Browns’ tight ends coach. He replaced Ken Dorsey, who the Browns fired the day after completing a 3-14 season and finishing at the bottom of the NFL in scoring and interceptions thrown. Dorsey was only on the job for 11 months after being hired to help the team maximize quarterback Deshaun Watson, who struggled in seven starts before suffering a season-ending ruptured Achilles in October. Watson retore his Achilles earlier this month and is unlikely to play in 2025 — or for the Browns ever again.
Stefanski’s roots are in a wide-zone, tight end-heavy system that relies on play-action passes and a strong run game. Stefanski called the plays for his first four seasons on the job before making Dorsey the play-caller in the wake of Watson’s injury.
The Browns hired Rees on Jan. 14. Although he was the team’s first interview because he was already on the staff, he always felt like the favorite, and Stefanski taking back the play-calling duties seemed like the most likely path. Rees called the plays as Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator from 2020 to 2022 and at Alabama in 2023, but last season was his first as a full-time NFL coach.
Rees coached Jalen Milroe in 2023 at Alabama, and Milroe is one of the many quarterbacks the Browns will further debate and evaluate in the coming weeks. The Browns hold the No. 2 pick in April’s draft and seem certain to add at least two quarterbacks this offseason, starting with one in the March free agency period and then likely early in the draft. The Browns also hold the No. 33 pick, the first one of the second round.
Watson is under contract for two seasons but is out of the team’s plans, and Jameis Winston is eligible for free agency. Winston took over last October, but the Browns benched him in December after throwing eight interceptions in a three-game span.
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