Browns Making A Change At Offensive Coordinator Per Multiple Reports
The Browns are no strangers to making coaching changes this time of year.
A year removed from head coach Kevin Stefanski making key changes to his coaching staff by bringing in special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, the Browns head man is shaking things up again.
According to multiple reports, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has been relieved of his duties this week. CBS Sports' NFL insider, Josina Anderson was the first to reveal that AVP had communicated to players that he would not be returning next season. The 53-year-old spent four years in Cleveland, joining the staff alongside Stefanski in 2020.
While the initial reporting was refuted because Van Pelt was still under contract with the team, ESPN's Jake Trotter confirmed the news, with the former QB telling him he was "proud of his time there."
Van Pelt isn't the only coaching change revealed for Cleveland on Wednesday. Anderson was also the first to report that popular running backs coach Stump Mitchell had been fired along with tight end coach T.C. McCartney.
The Browns offense finished tied for 10th this season in terms of points per game, and 16th in terms of total yards per game. That doesn't tell the full story of their offense this season though, which was 28th in expected points added per play.
For added context, injuries played a huge role in Cleveland's offensive struggles this season, particularly at quarterback where Van Pelt worked with five different starting quarterbacks as franchise signal caller Deshaun Watson battled multiple shoulder injuries. Additional Season-ending injuries to star running back Nick Chubb and the team's top three tackles in Jack Conklin, Jedrick Wills and rookie Dawand Jones certainly didn't help matters either.
Any offensive staff changes made by Stefanski likely come with Watson in mind. Entering year three of his five-year deal with the Browns since their blockbuster trade with the Texans in the spring of 2022, next season will be a crucial one in trying to get Watson playing like the top-10 quarterback he was in Houston.
It's unknown if more staff changes are expected at this time. Stefanski and company continue to work through the coaching evaluation process.
