BEREA, Ohio — Tommy Rees is well aware of the challenges ahead. After a tough season spent coaching the tight ends during Cleveland’s unfortunate 3-14 record, he has now been elevated to the role of offensive coordinator for a team still on the lookout for a franchise quarterback.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski introduced Rees, commenting on his intention to regain play-calling responsibilities in 2025 after initially passing them to Ken Dorsey midway through the last season. “I’m going to call plays, and I reserve the right to change my mind,” Stefanski made clear before inviting Rees to join him.
Last season, as the Browns faced another disappointing campaign, Stefanski had assigned play-calling duties to Dorsey following the injury of quarterback Deshaun Watson, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. Unfortunately, the Browns ended the season at the bottom in average points scored per game (15.2) and several other metrics, leading to Dorsey’s dismissal shortly after the final game against Baltimore.
Rees supported Stefanski’s decision to retake the role of main play-caller. “It’s great,” he expressed. “Obviously, we’re going to work together. I’m looking forward to being part of the process and having the opportunity to lead the offensive staff and the offense. The groundwork is where all the real work gets accomplished, and we’re excited to collaborate to ensure a solid product on the field.”
The overall offensive performance from the Browns this past season left much to be desired. Cleveland struggled to establish a clear offensive identity, particularly evident when Dorsey’s scheme, designed to highlight Watson’s abilities, failed miserably. The team could not muster 20 points in any game, and Watson did not surpass 200 passing yards in his first seven games before his injury on October 20. This marked a second consecutive year of significant injury for Watson, who had dealt with a shoulder issue in 2023.
Watson’s uncertain future now looms large over the franchise after re-injuring his Achilles, requiring yet another surgery. The Browns are committed to paying him $92 million over the next two years as part of the fully guaranteed $230 million deal signed in 2022, but they have only indicated he will miss a considerable part of the upcoming season.
The search for a quarterback to lead the team is crucial as Cleveland prepares to start anew. Holding the second overall pick in this year’s draft, the organization is deeply analyzing this year’s college quarterback prospects, with Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward being highly regarded.
In addition to the draft, the Browns are also exploring free agency options and potentially selecting a quarterback in the later rounds to develop further. Ohio State’s Will Howard has gained traction as an interesting choice following his national title run.
Rees brings enthusiasm and a strategic lens to the quarterback position; he was a three-year starter at Notre Dame before coaching their quarterbacks and then serving as offensive coordinator. Most recently, he worked under Nick Saban at Alabama, where he coached Jalen Milroe, who may also be a viable option for Cleveland.
While Rees praised Milroe as a person, he chose to keep details about any potential draft candidates to himself. “I’m not going to talk about any players in the draft,” he remarked, looking forward to the evaluation process instead.
As he evaluates game tape and examines factors like arm strength and size, Rees emphasized one essential quarterback quality that stands out: decision-making. “At the end of the day, the quarterback’s job is to solve problems,” he explained. “You’re going to be tasked 60, 70, 80 times a game to make decisions in critical moments. The ability to make quick and right decisions is a vital trait. So above all, I want a decision-maker at that position.”
In reflecting on his choice to remain with the Browns, despite having other opportunities, Rees drew on his personal history with the franchise. He spent his teenage years as a ball boy while his father, Bill, served as the team’s director of player personnel from 2004 to 2008.
“Those were the years I fell in love with football,” Rees reminisced. “When I think about my early experiences in the game, that love was shaped by moments spent here or cheering for the Browns from home. It feels like a full-circle moment.”
