On Wednesday, the Browns decided it was time for the offense to go in a different direction as they let offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt go after four seasons with the team. The move was surprising but when you think about it, it does make sense that the offense must change. With Deshaun Watson returning, it is clear that a fresh voice is needed to reshape the offense to fit his skill set.
Cleveland tried to mold the offense and it just didn’t produce the results they hoped this year, though Watson was playing better before his injury. They need a new voice that can help to reshape this offense, someone with experience working with mobile quarterbacks or an innovative offensive mind from a successful coaching tree.
Kevin Stefanski showed a willingness to make changes last year by moving on from Joe Woods, and this year deciding that as good as Van Pelt is, he just isn’t the one to help take this offense in a different direction.
Here are six potential candidates that make the most sense as the team searches for its new OC.
1
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly
The one that makes the most sense to me is the Tennessee Titans’ current offensive coordinator Tim Kelly. With Mike Vrabel gone, he is likely moving on, as well, and his connection with Deshaun Watson makes him the favorite for the job. He was the Texans offensive coordinator in 2019 and 2020 when Watson played the best football of his career. Getting Watson back to that form is crucial and Kelly has experienced getting the best out of the quarterback.
2
Los Angeles Rams QBs coach/pass game coordinator Zac Robinson
Sean McVay and his staff in LA continue to do great things offensively as Matthew Stafford bounced back in a big way this season. Zac Robinson has worked closely with McVay for the past five seasons with the Rams. Watching the way the Rams schemed up the Browns’ great defense this year was something special and intriguing. McVay has been at the forefront of offensive innovation and snatching someone from his staff is not a bad idea at all.
3
Miami Dolphins pass game coordinator Darrell Bevell
Darrell Bevell worked with Stefanski when he was the offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings from 2006-2010. Bevell has been the offensive coordinator with multiple teams since 2006, as well as being the interim head coach of two teams after the head coaches were let go during the season. He has been with Mike McDaniel for the last two years in Miami, helping make that offense one of the league’s most explosive.
4
Colts QBs coach Cam Turner
The progress the Indianapolis Colts made in the first year under head coach Shane Steichen has been truly impressive. Anthony Richardson was showing a ton of promise before his injury and then Gardner Minshew had one of his best seasons under Steichen and quarterbacks coach Cam Turner. Steichen is another innovative offensive mind and poaching one of his assistants could be a positive direction for the Browns to go in.
5
Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron
Shane Waldron is getting some head coaching buzz but if he doesn’t land one with Pete Carroll out in Seattle, Waldron will likely move on one way or another. After Geno Smith spent years as a backup, Waldron helped him revitalize his career and cash in after a great 2022 season. Though the 2023 season wasn’t as successful for the Seahawks, Waldron also excelled with Sean McVay and the Rams before going to Seattle.
6
Houston Texans QBs coach Jerrod Johnson
The final and least likely candidate is Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson. He has worked closely with Bobby Slowik, who will get head coaching attention, and helped rookie C.J. Stroud hit the ground running as they made the playoffs and blew the doors off the Browns’ defense. Johnson bounced around the league as a quarterback out of Texas A&M and after working with Slowik in Houston, he could provide an interesting and different voice for the offense.
