Cleveland Browns hope ‘to reshape the offense’ with former Alabama assistant

The Cleveland Browns scored the fewest points in the NFL during the 2024 season on their way to a 3-14 record.

That got offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey fired.

On Wednesday, the Browns announced his replacement – Tommy Rees. The former Alabama offensive coordinator served as Cleveland’s tight-ends coach and pass-game specialist this season.

“Tommy has an incredible football mind,” Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said in a release from the team. “He is extremely bright and has been around the game his entire life. Before joining our staff, he established himself as one of the top assistant coaches in college football. Last season, he transitioned into our tight-end room and with our pass game, and he didn’t miss a beat. Due to injuries, there was a lot of uncertainty at tight end, but Tommy did a phenomenal job with that group and always had his players ready for gameday, despite, in some cases, only being with the team for a short period of time.

“Innovation is such a critical element to the offensive game-planning process, and Tommy brings that. Our intent is to build a sound and explosive offense that will put points on the board and I’m looking forward to working with Tommy to reshape the Browns offense in 2025.”

Stefanski also interviewed Miami Dolphins quarterbacks coach/pass game coordinator Darrell Bevell, Atlanta Falcons tight ends coach Kevin Koger, New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Charles London for the position.

What was left unsaid was who would call the plays for the Cleveland offense in 2025. Stefanski had handled that duty since becoming the Browns head coach in 2020. But he turned over the responsibility to Dorsey halfway through the 2024 season.

Cleveland started seven different offensive-line combinations in its first eight games and used four starting quarterbacks during the 2024 season. Deshaun Watson started the first seven games, with former Hueytown High School star Jameis Winston starting the next seven. Dorian Thompson-Robinson started two games before Bailey Zappe started the finale.

Watson signed a five-year, $230 million, fully guaranteed contract with the Browns after Cleveland obtained him in a trade with the Houston Texans in 2022. A suspension and injuries have limited Watson to playing in 19 of the Browns’ 51 games in his three seasons with the team.

Last week, the Browns announced Watson “likely will miss significant time during the 2025 season.” Watson went out for 2024 when he ruptured his right Achilles tendon on Oct. 20. The Browns said Watson had ruptured the tendon again and had undergone a second surgery on Thursday.

Cleveland holds the second selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.