No End In Sight For Stefanski’s Play-Calling Tyranny
Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Stefanski has made it crystal clear: He’s not handing over the Browns’ play-calling sheet to Ken Dorsey, the offensive coordinator they just hired. Dorsey will be replacing Alex Van Pelt, who was also also not allowed to call plays. Even though Dorsey’s stint in Buffalo had its ups and downs, he still assembled and executed an offense that saw Josh Allen finish in the top-5 in passing yards. Stefanski doesn’t seem to particularly care about that, though, because his grip on the playbook remains as tight ever.
Now, let’s chew on that for a minute. Stefanski, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, seems to believe if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But for those of us with our noses pressed against the screens of our TVs, the play-calling sometimes feels pretty broken. Like, to the point where I have to wonder whether Stefanski’s accolades might just be shiny accidents.
It’s an odd tale, really. Here’s a coach who’s seen the heights of acclaim, who’s orchestrated some heady days, but who also regularly leaves us scratching their heads and tossing remotes. His playbook? At times, it seems as if it might be more suited to a high-stakes poker game. Sometimes it feels like he’s bluffing when you expect a straight play, and other times he folds when he’s got a full house. This doesn’t always have to be a game of chance, but when you watch Stefanski call plays, you feel as disoriented as Mr. Krabs.
Last season, under Stefanski’s command, the Browns unexpectedly clinched a playoff spot. This shocking development was largely due to Joe Flacco, who led the team through a string of successful games that captivated fans and critics alike. Yet, this high was short-lived, as their postseason aspirations were abruptly dashed by the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round. It made for a jarring end to a season that briefly promised so much.
Now with Dorsey in the mix, a guy who knows a thing or two about an offense, and another thing or two about what it’s actually like to quarterback the Cleveland Browns. You’d think Stefanski might step aside and let the coordinator do his job. But no, Stefanski is like a rock star who kicks the rest of the band out of the studio to play all the parts himself.
He is a good coach, no doubt, but Stefanski could be a great coach if only he’d get out of his own way. It’s a risky bit, holding onto the reins so tightly. This upcoming season, with Deshaun Watson fully thawed and ready to re-prove his worth as a quarterback, could have been a moment for Stefanski to let the cooks cook. Let the quarterback work with the quarterback. Instead, he is letting his hubris get in the way again and his play-calling will either be a symphony or a cacophony, an orchestration or an obstruction.
The unwavering hold Stefanski has on the Browns’ playbook, despite his fluctuating success, prompts real concerns about his willingness to evolve with the game. Maintaining control over play-calling could lead to stagnation, stagnation leads to regression, and regression costs people their jobs.
Well, not everyone… Just the offensive coordinators who weren’t allowed to call the plays.
For Browns fans, who are well accustomed to the team’s rollercoaster performance, every game under Stefanski’s command will continue to feel like a high-stakes bet. They’re familiar with the dramatic ups and downs, yet there’s always an underlying hope that Stefanski’s vision might still prove revolutionary. While some may speculate that he harbors an unrecognized genius, the reality is likely more complex. As each game unfolds, it’s clear they’re part of a broader experiment on whether a consistent strategy can triumph in a league that adapts.
Either way, it’s going to be a show. It’ll never be boring. And maybe keep the antacid handy. Because with Stefanski at the helm, it’s never a football game; it’s a guessing game.
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