It’s happening again. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has decided to take back play-calling duties, reserving the right to change that decision at any time. And while that last part may sound like a built-in safety net, let’s be honest—this is a bad move for Cleveland.

We’ve seen this before, and it hasn’t worked. When Stefanski calls plays, his attention gets sucked into the offensive flow, leaving him less focused on the bigger picture—clock management, defensive adjustments, special teams decisions, and the critical in-game moments that can swing a win or a loss.

A head coach should be a CEO, not a coordinator. The job requires full control of every aspect of the game, making real-time decisions that impact all three phases. When Stefanski locks in on dialing up plays, he’s taking his eyes off the full scope of his responsibilities.

History Repeats Itself

This isn’t the first time Stefanski has played this game of musical chairs with play-calling duties. He’s gone back and forth on it throughout his tenure, and each time he’s taken back control, the same issues arise. The offense gets predictable, his game management suffers, and the Browns fail to adjust when things start to go wrong.

Even worse, this creates instability within the team. How can a quarterback or offensive unit build chemistry with a coordinator if they’re constantly wondering whether their head coach will suddenly take over again? Teams thrive on consistency, and this on-again, off-again approach to play-calling is anything but.

Stefanski has already proven that he can be a competent offensive mind, but as a head coach, he needs to delegate. There’s a reason most successful teams in the NFL have an offensive coordinator handling those duties while the head coach focuses on the overall game.

The Blueprint for Success: Ryan Day’s Example

If Stefanski wants to see how ceding play-calling duties can transform a program, he should look no further than Columbus. Ryan Day, long known as an offensive mastermind, finally handed over play-calling responsibilities with the Buckeyes. The result? A National Championship.

By stepping back and focusing on running the entire team, Day was able to make smarter decisions, oversee all aspects of the game, and ultimately guide Ohio State to the pinnacle of college football. That same philosophy should apply to Stefanski. His job isn’t just to run the offense—it’s to lead an entire team.

Stefanski’s Job Is on the Line

At this point in his tenure, Stefanski is running out of room for error. Sure, a lot of the struggles have come from decisions made higher up the food chain, but if he gets too bogged down in play-calling again and the Browns underperform, this could be what costs him his job.

There’s also the issue of accountability. If Stefanski calls the plays and the offense stagnates, there’s no one else to blame. An offensive coordinator taking charge creates a natural buffer, allowing for adjustments and fresh ideas. But if Stefanski insists on being the sole decision-maker, then every failed third-down conversion, every red-zone miscue, and every stalled drive falls directly on his shoulders.

Other Head Coaches Call Plays

Calling plays as a head coach can be done; look no further than Andy Reid in Kansas City and Sean McVay in Los Angeles, who is one of the best offensive minds in the league. 14 teams have head coaches who primarily called the plays in 2024. So why not Kevin Stefanski? Because he’s already showed us that he’s not a great multitasker.

The Browns have the talent to compete, but if their head coach can’t focus on the bigger picture, they’ll continue to come up short. The best decision Stefanski can make isn’t what play to call on third-and-7—it’s recognizing that his team needs a full-time head coach, not a part-time play-caller.

If Stefanski really reserves the right to change his decision, he should do it now—before this mistake costs the Browns another season.