Kevin Stefanski is back to calling plays for the Cleveland Browns. This means he’s in charge of deciding what the team does during games. Even though the Browns have had a tough time this season, it’s not really because of who was calling the plays. But since Tommy Rees got a new job as the offensive coordinator, it makes sense for Stefanski to take over play-calling again.
Stefanski mentioned in an ESPN story that he “reserves the right to change his mind,” which hints he might let Rees call plays later. Or maybe not at all. The Browns’ struggles on offense weren’t just about who was calling plays, but they did get worse in 2024.
A big part of the issue is the quarterback situation, not the play caller. For some reason, Stefanski can’t quite tap into Deshaun Watson’s potential, even though Watson used to be a top player.
With Stefanski taking charge again, it looks like they’re moving away from Watson. His recent Achilles injury suggests he might not be part of the 2025 lineup.
The Watson era in Cleveland has been underwhelming. He’s only played 19 games over three seasons despite a massive contract worth $230 million.
He hasn’t completed a full season since joining Cleveland, and each year brings new drama. It’s clear the team’s patience is running out.
Now that Stefanski is back in control, it seems Watson’s days in Cleveland are numbered. Stefanski has gotten more from backup quarterbacks than from Watson in this system.
For some reason, Stefanski can’t figure out how to get Watson back to his old form. But he can yank Joe Flacco off his couch and earn him another year in the NFL. He can take Jameis Winston and revive a team that needed a spark.
Watson deserves a lot of criticism for how he’s played. He demanded to get paid top dollar and has basically robbed the Haslams and the Browns. He’s been the least efficient quarterback in the league in just about every year he’s been in Cleveland.
That’s the frustrating thing about the Browns over the last three seasons. Myles Garrett didn’t explicitly say it, but he’s over the Watson fiasco. Now that Stefanski is back to calling the shots, if the new quarterback comes in and succeeds, it will be the final straw for Watson.
He probably won’t play another snap for the Browns, collect his check and be the league’s biggest failure after a career that had so much promise before his off-the-field lawsuits.
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