Boiling point: Kevin Stefanski in hot water after messy end to season

No. 2 issue with Kevin Stefanski: Play calling

When you’re the coach of any sport you will be second-guessed by many regardless of wins and losses. That is no different for Kevin Stefanski. Some will say that Stefanski is a genius with his play-calling skills and that most of the problems with the Browns have more to do with the fact that the players aren’t executing. When the play goes well, we praise the player but when things go south, we blame them.

As these seasons have moved along there hasn’t been much improvement in the play-calling perception that Stefanski has helped create. While he might be brilliant in mind and can call plays in his sleep, that isn’t projecting onto the players on the field.

In addition, there still hasn’t been any consistency with the calls he makes. In one game he might go for every fourth down play regardless of distance and in other games, he foregoes the short fourth and short to punt.

In Week 17 against the Washington Commanders, he had his offense go for it on fourth and goal from the three-yard line early in the game instead of taking the three points on the field goal and the play failed. In the end, it didn’t hurt the Browns as they played a good second half and won 24-10.

But it’s the unpredictability of Stefanski’s calls that are difficult to understand. Maybe Stefanski thinks he’s outsmarting the opponent. Some of football is like playing a game of chess and outmaneuvering the opponent, but Stefanski should take some time to reflect on that part of his game because it’s not made his team better.