Tommy Rees faces tough challenge in reviving Browns' struggling offense

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BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Tommy Rees will be the latest to take on what could be one of the toughest tasks in the NFL — reviving the Cleveland Browns offense.

The 33-year old Rees was given play-calling duties from coach Kevin Stefanski this week as the Browns came off their bye. Rees' first game in his new role is Sunday against the New York Jets.

Rees is in his second year on Stefanski's staff, but first as offensive coordinator. He was hired last year as a tight ends coach and pass game specialist before being promoted during the offseason.

Stefanski said on Wednesday that Rees would have final say on the call sheet of plays.

Even though he hasn't called plays in the NFL, Rees has plenty of experience from college. He was the quarterbacks coach at his alma mater, Notre Dame, from 2017 though ’19 before being promoted to offensive coordinator and QBs coach in 2020. He went to Alabama for the same positions in 2023 before coming to Cleveland after Nick Saban’s retirement.

Sunday will mark Rees' first game as a play-caller since Jan. 1, 2024, when Alabama faced Michigan in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl.

“I've called them in big games, called them in games people didn’t watch, everywhere in between. Worked for two head coaches that are pretty intense on game day (Saban and Brian Kelly), so obviously you learn how to block out some noise, some friendly fire there," Rees said. “I think I've got a good feel for our personnel here. That’s so important when it comes to calling games. Then you get into a rhythm throughout the game of figuring out what from the plan works, what you need to adjust, what they’re doing to try to take some things away."

The Browns (2-6) are 31st in the league in total offense, averaging 263.5 yards per game. They are 30th in scoring, averaging only 15.8 points per game. They have scored more than 17 points only once in the past 13 games going back to last season.

While Joe Flacco is averaging 313.5 passing yards in his four Bengals starts since being traded by the Browns on Oct. 7, Dillon Gabriel has struggled.

The rookie third-round pick is averaging only 170.8 passing yards in his four starts. His 75.8 passer rating during October was third lowest in the league and he had the fourth-worst completion rate (59.4%) among starters.

With Gabriel as the starter, rookie running back Quinshon Judkins has two games with at least 84 yards — including 110 on Oct. 5 against Minnesota for his first 100-yard game — but 36 and 19 in the others.

Cleveland's successful play rate — gaining the necessary yards to stay in front of the chains — is a league-low 38.2% through the first eight games. They have gone three-and-out on 24.4% of their possessions, the seventh-highest rate.

If Rees is going to get the Browns offense back on track, the receivers need to play better. Of Cleveland's 178 catches, only 58 are by the wide receivers with Jerry Jeudy the only one in the team's top six in receptions. Tight ends Harold Fannin and David Njoku have more receptions (65) than the six receivers (58).

Cedric Tillman will return to the lineup after missing the past four games because of a hamstring strain.

“He got a lot of knowledge. I’ve been a fan of him from back in college and seeing what he’s been able to do,” Gabriel said of Rees. “I think he just utilizes players at a high level. But I think with everyone, it’s all coming together. It’s never one person. Definitely there could be times of inspiration and help in that way. It’s all of us coming together to help each other out, and coach is a good leader for that.”

The Browns are also hoping to take advantage of a Jets defense still reeling after star cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams were traded.

However, guard Joel Bitonio doesn't expect that to be the case.

“I don’t think it’s just going to be like, ‘oh, we’re done for the year.’ They’re going to go out and try and win the game," he said. "I think football’s too violent, too aggressive of a sport and too much for guys to try and get their next contract or get paid for anybody to really just lay down.”

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