CLEVELAND, Ohio — We can talk about the Browns’ lack of talent and their seemingly eternal search for a quarterback.
But there is something wrong here that is beyond the players. That’s what I kept thinking during the Browns’ 27-20 loss to the Jets last week.
I had major questions about the coaching before that game, and have written about it.
But the Jets game …
Two TDs coughed up by the special teams …
Undisciplined and disorganized penalties from the defense near the end of the game …
An overall lack of cohesion while losing to the Jets (1-7 at the time) after the Browns had two weeks to prepare …
This game was more about coaching than a talent gap. The Browns have better players than the Jets, who had traded two of their best defenders the week before the game.
I don’t see an overall lack of effort from the players. I do see a team that lacks direction, and that has been the case for a while.
Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Rams in preseason game
Deshaun Watson wasn't the only problem with the offense. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Check the record
Since opening day of 2024, the Browns have a 5-21 record. They are averaging 15.8 points per game, the lowest in the NFL in that span.
In those 26 games, they have scored more than 17 points only five times.
That’s an embarrassment and unacceptable.
I wanted to blame the inept offense on Deshaun Watson. He was a big problem at QB last year.
The three games where the Browns scored more than 17 points in 2024 were started by Jameis Winston – who threw passes to both teams. In his seven starts, Winston had a 2-5 record. He averaged 291 yards passing with 12 TDs and 12 interceptions.
Winston’s last 2024 game was a disastrous 21-7 loss to Kansas City. He was 16 for 25 passing with three interceptions. He was replaced by Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was 4 for 9 passing for 18 yards and an interception.
Since opening day of 2024, the following have started at quarterback: Watson, Winston, Thompson-Robinson, Bailey Zappe, Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel.
That’s six different starting QBs in 26 games.
That is an indictment on the massive Watson trade along with the front office’s failure to find a productive backup. But something else is wrong.
Browns switch play calling from Kevin Stefanski to Tommy Rees: Crowquill
Illustration by Ted Crow for Crowquill. Coach Stefanski hands over the play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. Ted Crow
A fresh start?
With Watson recovering from his second Achilles surgery, I thought coach Kevin Stefanski would at least put together something close to an average NFL offense in 2025. He had done it in the past with several quarterbacks.
In 2022, the Browns were No. 10 in scoring in the 11 games started by Jacoby Brissett while Watson was suspended. It dropped when Watson returned.
In 2023, they were again 10th in scoring as the Browns went through Watson, Thompson-Robinson, P.J. Walker, Jeff Driskel and Flacco.
But since then …
The offense is lost and arguably the worst in the NFL.
Stefanski handed the play-calling over to Ken Dorsey in the middle of the 2024 season.
Stefanski handed over the play-calling to Tommy Rees in the middle of the 2025 season.
It’s possible there has been a head coach who gave up play-calling in the middle of back-to-back seasons before, but I can’t think of one. I also know it never happened in the history of the Browns.
In that same 1 1/2 season span, the Browns have led the NFL in passes attempted per game.
So they threw the ball a lot and scored very little.
Jets Bengals Football
Joe Flacco has thrown 11 TD passes compared to two interceptions in four starts with Cincinati.AP
What has changed?
I keep wondering what happened to Stefanski’s touch with QBs. In Minnesota, he coached Case Keenum to a career year in 2017. In 2020, Baker Mayfield had a strong season in Stefanski’s rookie year as Cleveland’s head coach.
Brissett thrived in 2022. Flacco had a Comeback Player of the Year season with Cleveland in 2023.
Since then … the Browns rarely score 20 points.
Overall, I like Stefanski as a play-caller. But in the last two years, I wonder if the pressure and controversy surrounding Watson has worn down the coach.
Stefanski knew the Browns made a huge investment in Watson. He also knew it was on him to “fix” Watson. And he also had to grow weary of answering all the Watson questions, from the off-field issues, to injuries to poor QB play.
With Flacco back, I thought Stefanski would return to his old offense and the Browns would at least have OK play from the quarterback position.
I thought wrong. Flacco struggled in his four starts, throwing a pair of TDs compared to six interceptions. He threw for 204 yards per game with a 60.3 rating while completing 58% of his passes.
Then he went to Cincinnati. In four games, he has thrown 11 TD passes compared to only two interceptions. He’s completed 65% of his passes, averaging 313 yards per game with a 102.6 rating.
The Bengals have far superior receivers to the Browns. As for the offensive lines, Pro Football Focus rated Cleveland at No. 30, Cincinnati at No. 26.
Flacco’s protection in Cincinnati is not that much different than Cleveland. Nor do the Bengals have a better running game. Receivers have been a game changer for Flacco – but so has coaching and schemes used on offense.
The front office deserves criticism for the lack of talent at receiver and depth on the offensive line. But coaching also has been a major trouble spot on offense.
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