4 things Tommy Rees should have at the top of his list as Browns new offensive coordinator: Mary Kay Cabot

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who will address the media on Wednesday morning, has a long punch list awaiting him as he takes over an offense that finished last or near-last in many key statistical categories, including points scored (15.2) and giveaways (tied for most with 34). The Browns eclipsed 20 points on only three occasions, and their 15.2 points a game were less than half the total of the Lions, Bills and Ravens. Nevertheless, Kevin Stefanski has called for “a sound, explosive” offense in 2025, and has chosen Rees, 32, to help deliver it. This despite the fact Rees has coached only two NFL seasons, including only one as a position coach when he tutored Browns tight ends last season. Rees takes over for Ken Dorsey, who was fired a day after the season after calling plays for the final 10 games, during which the Browns went 2-8. Dorsey had Jameis Winston throwing for over 300 yards a game in his seven starts and receiver Jerry Jeudy averaging more than 100 yards receiving during those games, but the Browns threw 20 interceptions in that span to finish with a league-high 23. In addition to helping reshape an offense that was also completely overhauled last offseason, Rees will have as many as three new quarterbacks to coach, not counting Deshaun Watson, who’s expected to miss significant time this season after re-rupturing his Achilles. It’s a big job for a first-time coordinator, but Stefanski is confident that the young coach with an “incredible football mind” is up to the task. Here are four things Rees should prioritize in his new role: Rees played quarterback at Notre Dame, going 23-8 from 2010-13 and finishing second in school history in touchdown passes (61) and third in passing yards (7,351). He went on to coach for six seasons at Notre Dame, first as quarterbacks coach and then adding offensive coordinator duties, before spending a season at Alabama as both. He knows the position, and should play a key role in the pre-draft evaluation of the 2025 quarterback class. Rees coached one of the top prospects, Jalen Milroe at Alabama in 2023, coaching him to a 12-1 mark and SEC Championship, as well as a berth in the College Football Playoffs. Under Rees’ guidance, the dual-threat Milroe finished that season with 23 touchdown passes, six interceptions, 2,718 passing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. During the SEC Championship Game, he threw for 192 yards and two TD passes, earning MVP honors in a 27–24 victory over No. 1 Georgia. In a 27-20 overtime loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl, he threw for 116 yards and rushed for 63. If the Browns draft Milroe, arguably the best dual-threat passer in the class, Rees will have a leg up in coaching him. Even if they don’t, Rees is up to speed on all things college quarterback, and will have valuable insight into the top two in the draft in Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, as well as others such as Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart. The key is not for the Browns to find a quarterback who fits their system, but to draft the best quarterback in the class, and tailor their system to maximize his skillset. The Browns finished 28th in the NFL rushing with an un-Browns like 94.6 yards per game, about half the Ravens’ league-leading total of 187.6. Furthermore, they rushed for only eight TDs, four times fewer than the Bills’ 32. The Browns must get back to running the ball well in 2025 to take pressure off the new starting quarterback, possess the ball and help their beat-down defense, which slipped from No. 1 in 2023 to No. 19. The offensive linemen unequivocally stated their desire to run the ball more — o-linemen always wants that — but it’s the right thing to do. More running also means fewer interceptions. The Browns should also get back to their wide zone scheme, and take advantage of their athletic linemen. Rees will have to work closely with new offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren to resuscitate the ground game, which will likely need a new bruising, workhorse back to replace Nick Chubb. A more robust ground attack, from possibly a running QB and a combination of backs, will be a key to a more explosive offense in 2025. This season, seven of the league’s top 10 rushing teams made the playoffs. 3. Add at least 3 new dangerous weapons for the new QB 2025 can’t be the Jerry Jeudy-David Njoku show. The Browns must add three new dangerous weapons for their new QB, including at least one more Pro Bowl-caliber receiver. They can either draft one, trade for one, or sign one in free agency, but the No. 2 wideout must strike fear in a defense and take some of the heat off Jeudy, a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024. Second-year pro Cedric Tillman was on his way to being that player in 2024 until a concussion cost him the final six games of the season. The Browns must plan for him possibly missing another chunk of games in 2025 if he suffers another concussion, and be ready to plug in another big, tall, versatile wideout. Njoku’s body broke down in 2024, and they must hope he can stay healthy in his ninth NFL season. For insurance, they should look for another premier tight end in the draft or elsewhere. Elijah Moore is an unrestricted free agent, and may or may not be back. The new QB can’t have too many excellent targets, even if it cost the Browns some money. The Browns finished tied with the Titans for most giveaways in the NFL with 34, last in the turnover differential at minus-22, and threw the most interceptions in the NFL at 23. For comparison’s sake, the Chargers threw three interceptions for fewest in the league, and the Ravens threw four. The 23 — 12 by Winston in his seven starts — were an embarrassment. Some of them resulted from the Browns being without their two tall pass-catchers in Tillman and Njoku for half a dozen games each. Firing deep balls to a doubled Moore in the red zone didn’t always end well. He was first in the NFL with nine passes intended for him picked off. Reducing INTs will require an accurate quarterback who doesn’t throw many of them, a scheme designed to reduce them, a productive running game to open up the pass, and more big, strong, receivers who can make the contest catch. If Rees can accomplish these four things, he’ll be on his way to the explosive unit Stefanski seeks in 2025.