The Cleveland Browns have started two quarterbacks through six games, but still have yet to eclipse 17 points in any contest this season.
That trend continued on Sunday, October 12 in rookie Dillon Gabriel’s second start under center. Cleveland hit the road to take on the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers, but left the Steel City with its fifth loss of the year via a 23-9 defeat.
Two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski is back in the hot seat after the team’s difficult start and told media members following the game that he is considering a drastic change to the offense in an effort to generate a much-needed spark.
“Stefanski said ‘there’s a long list of things we gotta do better’ in an answer that included potentially changing play-callers,” Zac Jackson of The Athletic reported via X.
Browns New OC Tommy Rees Most Likely Candidate to Take Over Play-Calling Duties From Kevin Stefanski
GettyCleveland Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.
Should Cleveland switch up play-calling duties, the likelihood is that Stefanski would surrender those responsibilities to first-year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.
Rees joined the Browns staff in 2024 as the tight ends coach and pass game specialist. He replaced the fired Ken Dorsey in the role of OC heading into the 2025 campaign. Rees, a former quarterback at Notre Dame (2010-13), was that university’s offensive coordinator between 2020-22.
During a media session on October 9, Rees spoke about a lack of explosive plays in what has been an anemic offense in Cleveland through six games.
“We always try to look as internal as possible, right? Like what can we do?” Rees responded. “So, we’re not going to look very outward on that. I mean, there’s certainly schematic things — you might call a play and they’re in soft shell and it’s not the right look for it. That happens. But when we have the look and we’re not able to capitalize on that, we’re going to look inward and figure out how we improve those things.”
Either Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders Likely to Start for Browns at QB for Remainder of Season
GettyCleveland Browns quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders (left) and Dillon Gabriel (right).
Reese may get his chance to be the decision-maker with regards to the offense’s improvement, a proposition that comes with considerable risk and potential reward.
Nothing will be easy for Cleveland’s offense moving forward for a variety of reasons. One factor is a lack of elite talent at the offensive tackle position. Another is a lack of options at wide receiver outside of No. 1 Jerry Jeudy. But the biggest issue may be the fact that the Browns are likely to start one of two rookie quarterbacks for the remainder of 2025.
Gabriel is the current starter and will likely remain in that position for the foreseeable future.
“#Browns Kevin Stefanski said he never pondered going to Shedeur Sanders to spare Dillon Gabriel more of a beating,” Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported Sunday.
Stefanski named Shedeur Sanders QB2 late last week, and he is likely to get his chance to play at some point. However, it appears as though Gabriel has some significant runway to develop, assuming he can avoid injury.
Gabriel completed 29-of-52 pass attempts for 221 yards and took six sacks against the Steelers Sunday after going 19-of-33 for 190 yards and 2 TDs against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5.
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