This year, the Cleveland Browns aren’t fighting for a playoff spot or championship. Head coach Kevin Stefanski would be hoping they don’t finish like last year (3-14). But with two rookie QBs in their depth chart, things aren’t looking well for the future, as the team still sits with a 2-6 record. Veteran right guard Wyatt Teller is, as obvious, disappointed for not doing what the team is expected to do.

“I don’t want people to think that if we have success or anything like that, it’s not the same place. They’re the same place and they’re probably gonna be called the same way,” he said during an interview on 92.3 The Fan on November 5. “We just have to execute and do things the right way…We’ve had a couple of good runs, and against teams that are really good against the run, we’ve been running the ball well. So hopefully we can be multiple and versatile and attack a defense instead of a defense attacking us.”

For a team that built its identity on toughness, this season showed cracks everywhere. They gave up 23 points per game, while scoring only 15.8 themselves. That’s a huge difference, and it showed how badly the defense struggled to keep games close. The opponents scored 20 total touchdowns, while Cleveland managed just 13.

Opposing quarterbacks averaged 7.3 yards per pass, compared to Cleveland’s 5.0. That gap told the story, too many big plays through the air. Rivals threw 15 touchdown passes against them, while Cleveland’s own passing game had only 7. Kevin Stefanski has also been caught off guard on many occasions.

The Browns traded veteran QB Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals with a sixth-round pick for a fifth-round pick. Since then, they have been playing with rookie QB Dillon Gabriel. In 4 starts, he has a 1-3 win-loss record, while the team has a 2-6 record. Hence, analysts are calling for the coach to start another rookie, Shedeur Sanders.

But there’s no clarity about the timeline. In fact, the coach has limited his role to focus more on strategy.

Kevin Stefanski makes a major decision

In 2024, after losing 6 out of 7 games, Stefanski handed over the play-calling duties to then-offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. But the Browns finished 3-14. They fired him after the season and chose pass game specialist and tight ends coach Tommy Rees as their new OC. After coming back from the bye week, Kevin Stefanski announced that he is handing over the play-calling duties to Rees.

“I have a ton of trust and faith in Tommy. He’s more than capable, so excited for him. But bottom line is we have to just get better collectively,” Stefanski said. “…Obviously hired him here a couple years back, because I really believe in Tommy as a coach, and he’s done everything that we’ve asked, and I just feel like this is the right time.”

Though Rees has worked as an offensive coordinator at Notre Dame (2020-2022) and Alabama (2023), his experience hasn’t helped him navigate the deep waters of the NFL. The Browns keep sinking deep. They are ranked 31st in the league in scoring (13 TDs). While they have still played a comparatively better rushing game, they have scored the second-lowest receiving touchdowns (7).

Teller wants his teammates to play a better game. But given the current scenario, Rees has to work on his connection with the players. Will the change in play-calling help them on the field? Stay tuned as we will keep bringing new updates from the AFC North for you.