The Cleveland Browns have been a mess once again in 2025, which isn’t much of a surprise considering how much drama surrounded the team entering the year. With a 3-9 record, the Browns are set to once again miss the postseason, and it will be back to the drawing board for the team, as it will look to find a way to finally get the franchise out of the NFL’s basement.
Many of Cleveland’s issues stem from its lack of offensive production. With the unit being led by first-year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, the Browns haven’t been able to get much going on a weekly basis, although that’s largely due to the unit’s shortcomings, rather than Rees’ struggles. In fact, Rees is generating interest as a potential head coach candidate, as he reportedly interviewed for the Penn State Nittany Lions‘ opening.
Tommy Rees Interviewed for Penn State’s Head Coach Vacancy
After Cleveland fired Ken Dorsey in the wake of the 2024 campaign, Rees was promoted from tight ends coach/pass game specialist to become the team’s new offensive coordinator. While Rees is considered a bright offensive mind, not even he can help make up for the lack of talent the Browns’ offense possesses.
It’s been a bit of an odd season for Rees. He’s had to cycle through working with three different quarterbacks, while also taking over the offensive playcalling duties from head coach Kevin Stefanski midway through the season. And while the unit’s production hasn’t been great, Rees has developed a reputation as one of the top up-and-coming coaches in the league.
With head coach vacancies expected to pop up across the league soon, Rees could quickly become a candidate to leave Cleveland. He’s already begun the process of seeing what options are available to him, as reports indicate he interviewed for Penn State’s head coaching gig before the team eventually hired Matt Campbell.
“Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees interviewed virtually with Nittany Lions decision-makers late last week as the program was finalizing its search, sources say,” Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported.
Could Tommy Rees Leave the Browns This Offseason?
(Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)BEREA, OHIO – JUNE 10: Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees of the Cleveland Browns directs a drill during Cleveland Browns mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025 in Berea, Ohio.
While there are currently only two head coach jobs up for grabs in the NFL, that could change in a hurry, and the more jobs that become available, the bigger the chance is that Rees won’t be with the Browns next season. It doesn’t exactly seem like he was one of Penn State’s top candidates, but where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and chances are teams across the NFL have taken note of Rees’ interview.
Of course, Rees still has five games to get through with Cleveland before he can truly worry about his future. In Week 14, the Browns actually have a winnable game on their schedule against the one-win Tennessee Titans, and if they come out on top, that could bode well for Rees’ hopes of becoming a head coach in the near future. Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon.
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