Cleveland Browns’ Offense Struggles Under the Stewardship of AC Nick Dorsey
The Cleveland Browns inherited an offense under the guidance of Stefanski and previous OC Alex Van Pelt that ranked 10th in scoring and 16th in total yards in 2023, despite the absence of Nick Chubb and a carousel at quarterback following the loss of Deshaun Watson for the season. In 2024, the team was set to finish dead last in points scored and 28th in total yards, despite losing Watson and Chubb again to season-ending injuries and shortened campaigns.
Newcomer Jameis Winston provided occasional flashes, but was also prone to errors, resulting in a 13:12 TD-to-INT ratio and losing the team games with his errant passing. He was eventually benched in favor of Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The Browns scored a season-high 32 points and 552 yards in a Week 13 loss to the Broncos, but only managed to score 40 points over their last five weeks, an average of 8 points per game. The team appeared lifeless in its season-ending 35-10 loss to Baltimore, with Bailey Zappe under center as their fourth starting quarterback of the year.
The new OC in Cleveland will face similar circumstances to those that departed Dorsey and Van Pelt, with Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry expected to return after signing extensions in June, as well as the expected return of Deshaun Watson under a restructured contract aimed at easing his salary cap burden. The team is also poised to add a young QB to compete with Watson, who has not lived up to the fully guaranteed $230 million contract signed following his 2022 trade from Houston. The Browns are guaranteed to select in the top three of the 2025 NFL Draft, currently slotted at No. 1.