Browns’ Stefanski relinquishes play-calling duties to OC Rees
BEREA, Ohio — For the second straight season, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is stepping down from play-calling duties.
Stefanski said Monday that offensive coordinator Tommy Reese will play Sunday in the team’s road game against the New York Jets. The 2-6 Browns returned from their bye and held practice on Monday.
“I have a ton of confidence and belief in Tommy,” Stefanski said. “He’s more than capable, and he’s very passionate about it. But the bottom line is that we have to get better collectively.”
Stefanski later said: “I felt like Tommy was the person I believed in.” “Obviously I brought him here two years ago, because I really believe in Tommy as a coach, and he’s done everything we’ve asked of him, and I feel like this is the right time.”
The Browns have the third-fewest offense in the NFL, averaging 15.8 points per game. Cleveland made a change at quarterback four games into the season, benching since-traded veteran Joe Flacco for rookie Dillon Gabriel. But the move wasn’t enough to spur Cleveland’s offense.
Gabriel, the 94th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has completed 59.9% of his passes for 702 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions this season. His overall QBR of 26.8 ranks higher than Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward.
Stefanski confirmed that Gabriel will remain the team’s starting midfielder, which is what he said would be the case before the farewell. Backup Shedeur Sanders, who was inactive in Week 8 with a back injury, was not seen practicing Monday as he continues to nurse the injury.
Reese is in his second season in Cleveland after joining the staff in 2024 as a coach and passing game specialist. Reese, 33, previously served as the offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama for the 2023 season. He was also the offensive coordinator for the University of Notre Dame from 2020 to 2022.
Last season, Stefanski relinquished his starting linebacker duties to OC Ken Dorsey seven games into the season as the Browns had the lowest-scoring offense in the league. The change coincided with quarterback Deshaun Watson suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon injury and the Browns naming Jameis Winston their starter. Dorsey was fired at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
Stefanski said Monday that the team would not open the practice window for Watson, who remains on the physically unable list, this week and that he had no further update.