Browns' GM Andrew Berry: OC Change Not About Play-Calling

In his end of the season press conference, Browns GM Andrew Berry discussed the Browns decision to move on from several offensive coaches including offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt

In a somewhat surprising move last week, the Browns parted ways with several members of their offensive coaching staff in the wake of an 11-6 season that ended prematurely with a Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans.

With running backs coach Stump Mitchell, tight ends coach T.C. McCartney and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt now out of the picture, Cleveland is going through the process of interviewing candidates to fill those voided positions. While they do so, speculation has mounted that whoever is selected to be the next offensive coordinator would take over play calling duties from head coach Kevin Stefanski in an effort to get the more out of franchise signal caller Deshaun Watson.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the season came to an end, Browns general manager Andrew Berry refuted that notion, stating that the change did not directly correlate to a wanting a different play caller. 

It is, however, a role that is evaluated around this time of year, according to Berry, with Stefanski making the final call. 

"I'd say number one, that's something that we always talk about every every offseason and kind of the self assessment part," Berry said. "Part of that depends on where we land with staff and what Kevin's preferences are. Ultimately, that's going to be his decision as he has constructs a staff. We've mentioned multiple times. I think that's one of Kevin's strengths.

"How that operates from year to year, that's ultimately something that we reassess."

Stefanski's play-calling prowess was on full dsipalye this season, squeezing 11 wins out of a revolving door of a quarters that featured Watson, former XFLer P.J. Walker, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson and now 39-yesr-old veteran Joe Flacco. The Browns became the first team in NFL history to make the playoffs after starting four -- technically five including Jeff Driskel who started a meaningless Week 18 gane for Cleveland -- different quarterbacks. 

Whether or not Stefanski decides to give up those responsibilities, which he's coveted through his first four season at the helm, appears to be up to him. 

Cleveland has already interviewed or been linked to several candidates who could potentially fill their vacant offensive coordinator position. Reports last week revealed they had Seahawks offensive line coach Andy Dickerson in for an interview. Dickerson has never called plays during his 20 years coaching in the NFL. 

Over the weekend it was

reported that they conducted an interview with former quarterback Ken Dorsey

. As a player, Dorsey spent three seasons with the Browns from 2006-2008. He was promoted to offensive coordinator with the

Bills

in 2022 after Brian Daboll's departure to become the Giants head coach, but was fired in Week 10 this past season when Buffalo dropped to an underwhelming 5-5.

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Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson is scheduled to interview for the role this week as well, in the aftermath of an awe-inspiring rookie campaign from C.J. Stroud. The Browns appear to be casting a wide and diverse net.

"Quite honestly, we're not going to comment on that in detail until the 24 coaching staff is finalized," Berry said of what qualities they're looking for in a new OC. "All those all those questions will be answered at the appropriate time ... there's still too much in flux even with the OC change."

Filling these open coaching positions will be the Browns top priority in the weeks ahead as they pivot into offseason mode. Who they choose could paint a clearer picture as to who will handle the play-calling in 2024.