Could Thomas Brown Call Plays This Season? Reich is 'Not Ruling Out Anything'

Thomas Brown is making progress in his development in calling the shots.

Frank Reich still plans on handing over the offensive play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. When that takes place is still to be determined.

Having spent the first three years of his NFL coaching career under Sean McVay in Los Angeles, Brown had no prior experience calling plays in a game. Reich has said from day one that the end goal is for Brown to take over those responsibilities and has spent this offseason and preseason giving him that experience by calling plays in OTAs, training camp, and in the second half of preseason games.

"He's doing great," Reich said when asked about Brown's development calling plays. "I've made no bones about it. Since I've been here, I eventually want to make that transition. First of all, whether I'm calling it or he's calling it, it's very collaborative. I would envision whether it's this year or next year, I'm not ruling out anything. The long-term goal and vision is for me to transfer those duties to him. And I will say this, he is way ahead. For me in accessing him it's not about how many yards did we gain or how many points did we score when he's calling it, it's more how does he sound on the phone, how is the conversations with the quarterbacks. He feels like a seasoned play-caller to me. I also know it's a long process."

The offense looked better in the second half of the team's preseason game against the Giants last week, prompting some fans urging Reich to hand over the play-calling duties now. 

That's not happening. 

First of all, it's the preseason. Guys 70-90 are playing in the second halves of these games. 

Secondly, it's an overreaction. Just like the panic surrounding left tackle Ikem Ekwonu. 

Lastly and most importantly, Frank Reich was hired for a reason. He has a history of developing quarterbacks and is a well-respected offensive mind around the league. There will be a time and place for Reich to pass things over to Brown, but now is not the time. Not at the beginning of your franchise quarterback's career. 

Could it happen toward the back half of the schedule, perhaps the last month of the season? Yes, depending on how things are going of course. If the offense is clicking and the team is winning games, there's no need to fix something that isn't broken.

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