BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have swiftly turned their attention to addressing the myriad issues plaguing their disastrous 2024 season.
There is a significant list of items that require immediate attention.
In a decisive move following a disappointing loss to Baltimore, coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed both offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and offensive line coach Andy Dickerson just hours after the final whistle.
This marks the beginning of yet another eventful winter as the Browns emerge from their 18th double-digit loss season since 1999.
Dorsey and Dickerson each spent only one season with the (3-14) Browns, who concluded the year with a bleak six-game losing streak and have secured a top-three pick in the upcoming NFL draft, a far cry from their aspirations of building on last year’s playoff appearance.
Stefanski explained on Sunday, “Bottom line, I want to go in a different direction,” stressing the necessity for improvement on the offensive front.
The two coaches learned of their firings soon after the team’s 35-10 defeat in Baltimore.
Despite a challenging season, Stefanski, a two-time AP Coach of the Year, managed to keep his position intact, alongside general manager Andrew Berry, who is scheduled to speak with the media on Monday.
Stefanski is already initiating the search for his third offensive coordinator since 2020, with tight ends coach Tommy Rees considered a strong internal candidate.
The Browns are facing several critical challenges, particularly concerning their starting quarterback situation and the future of star defensive end Myles Garrett, who hinted after the game that he may be in line for a contract extension.
“There’ll be something coming,” stated Garrett, emphasizing to owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam that he is not interested in being part of a rebuilding phase and has even hinted at the possibility of requesting a trade.
Garrett, under a $125 million deal with two years remaining, is keen to understand the team’s offseason strategy regarding both offense and defense.
While the defense underwhelmed this past season, the offense was particularly dismal.
Under Dorsey’s leadership, the Browns finished last in scoring, managing to surpass 20 points only three times.
Dorsey, who had been hired to create an offensive system tailored to quarterback Deshaun Watson’s unique skill set, struggled to produce results.
Watson faced significant challenges returning from shoulder surgery, finishing the season with a 1-6 record in games he started, culminating in an Achilles tendon injury in October.
Though the offense briefly showed improvement when Jameis Winston took over, he was soon benched after throwing eight interceptions in just three games.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe also took snaps, marking the 40th different starting quarterback for the Browns since 1999.
Replacing the respected Bill Callahan, who moved to Tennessee to coach alongside his son, proved to be a difficult task.
The Browns’ running game failed to gain traction under Dickerson’s guidance, compounded by Nick Chubb’s recovery from knee surgery, while the offensive line allowed a troubling 66 sacks.
Right tackle Jack Conklin expressed that the shift in offensive philosophy negatively affected the team.
“It was a tall task for anybody to take over,” Conklin remarked. “I feel for Andy and the situation he was put in; we all wanted to succeed with this new offense, but it just didn’t materialize.”
Left guard Joel Bitonio suggested that a return to a run-focused play-action strategy would be prudent.
“It’s what Coach Stefanski is most comfortable with,” Bitonio noted. “The line was built for that kind of play. I’ve had a career where pulling was a significant part of it, but this year was vastly different.”
In other updates, Stefanski emphasized the importance of Watson’s health in the upcoming competition for the starting position next season.
With two years left on a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, the Cleveland organization recently made adjustments to offer future salary cap flexibility.
Stefanski did not provide details on rookie DT Mike Hall Jr., who was carted off the field due to a leg injury against the Ravens.
He expressed optimism that LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah could return next season after finishing on injured reserve due to a neck injury.
Bitonio also shared his plans to take some time off to “rest the body and mind” before considering whether to embark on a 12th NFL season.
