Credit and blame in the NFL is an interesting art form. The simplest of answers is always to focus on the quarterback, head coach and play-callers on both sides of the ball. Like most things, sometimes the simplest answers are the best answers.
The NFL is mostly a head coach and quarterback league. If we add a third, offensive coordinator has pushed its way into the conversation to join the other two.
The problem with the simplest answer in football is the number of variables on any given play much less for a game or an entire season. With 22 players on the field, the referees, weather and sometimes the condition of the field itself, a wide variety impact each and every play.
Despite that common knowledge, credit and blame continue to be placed mostly on the three noted above.
That was true for the Cleveland Browns in both 2020 and 2021. A ton of credit was given to head coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Baker Mayfield for the playoff run and a ton of blame headed their way after the lacking 2021 season.
For Stefanski, the credit/blame is twofold as he has held the offensive play-calling responsibilities for the team. Stefanski earned criticism for not running the ball enough AND running the ball too often in obvious situations.
Since he was hired as the head coach, questions lingered about who would call plays on offense. Stefanski hired Alex Van Pelt as offensive coordinator and seemed to indicate he might call the offense from that position. Instead, Stefanski has held the role his first two seasons.
Going into 2022, he’s answered the play-caller question much sooner than the past two years:
In case anyone was still wondering about this, Kevin Stefanski says he will be calling the offensive plays again next season #Browns
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) March 2, 2022
While it may be early to wonder about pressure for the 2020 Coach of the Year, missing the playoffs two years in a row would certainly lead to a hot-seat year in 2023 or sooner given owner Jimmy Haslam’s history. Instead of making a change to Van Pelt, Stefanski is sticking with what he knows and is comfortable with.
With Mayfield going into the last year of his rookie contract and questions likely unanswered about his future, Stefanski knows how vital the 2022 season is. Instead of making a big change, he’ll make sure this important season stays as much in his control as possible. If it fails, pressure will continue to rise quickly.