BEREA, Ohio — Kevin Stefanski stressed Wednesday that Tommy Rees will have “final say” over playcalling now that’s he’s taking over the chore — to a point.
“I do think it’s important with a play caller that you have a call sheet of plays that you’re really comfortable with,” Stefanski said. “So, certainly this week, making sure Tommy’s got the quote, unquote, final say. I’m letting him kind of put this thing together. Obviously, I’m helping and making my suggestions, but I want him to feel comfortable and confident with what’s on that call sheet.”
He clarified, however, that he’ll still have the last word on whether or not to go for it on fourth down and other major decisions.
“(I’ll serve) more as editor in chief, to put it that way, when you’re putting a game plan together,” Stefanski said. “At the end of the day, I get final say – we all know that. But I want to make sure he’s comfortable as we put the plan together.”
Stefanski will work hand-in-hand with Rees on determining how to attack the defense, but will let him put his stamp on the scheme and bring his own offensive flair to the process.
“It’s my job like I’ve told you guys before, I want to try to set people up for success regardless of what their role is,” Stefanski said. “So, if Tommy’s role is changing a little bit, I need to do my part to help him out.”
He acknowledged that Rees’ recent playcalling experience in the college ranks, at Notre Dame from 2020 to 2022 and then at Alabama in 2023, should help him relate well to rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
“Tommy’s got the right way about him with veterans and young players,” Stefanski said. “But certainly, to your point, when you’re in the collegiate game, there’s things that are different about the game – so it does help, as you explain certain concepts or the way defense is played, I do think there’s value in that.”
Rees takes over the 31st-ranked offense, one that’s 28th in rushing and 29th in passing. The Browns are also 30th in the NFL with only 15.8 points per game, and Gabriel is 32nd in the NFL with a 78.4 rating.
Gabriel doesn’t expect things to change much in the day-to-day operation, but embraces the change.
“I think it’ll be good for the guys and want to get this thing going in the right direction,” he said.
He acknowledged that the move shows Stefanski is willing to do whatever it takes to improve the offense.
“I guess you could say so,” he said. “Coach Stefanski really wants to win, and he’ll do whatever it takes to do that.”
In his seven months with Rees, he’s been impressed with his football acumen and work ethic.
“He’s eager, he’s hungry, he’s got a lot of knowledge,” Gabriel said. “I’ve been a fan even from back in college and seeing what he’s been able to do, but I think he just utilizes players at a high level. But I think with everyone, it’s all coming together. It’s never one person. Definitely there could be times of inspiration and help in that way, but it’s all of us coming together to help each other out and coach is good leader for that.”
Receiver Jerry Jeudy, whom the Browns are trying to get more involved in the offense, is hopeful about the change.
“A great offensive coordinator, ‘Bama boy,” Jeudy said. “So hopefully he’ll do a good job this week.”
This post will be updated.
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