Why Browns coach Kevin Stefaniski can’t coach remotely after positive COVID test

This didn’t end well for the Lions, who dealt with similar problems.

Kevin Stefanski, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, can’t just hop on Zoom to call plays for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in the Wild Card round of the playoffs against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns are not allowed to set up a command station in Stefanski’s home so that he can stay involved in the team’s play-calling or decision-making.

The NFL instituted rules during the pandemic for a situation like this one. Stefanski cannot contact the coaching staff on Sunday, and he cannot partake in any part of the in-game coaching process during game day.

The Browns will be without their Coach of the Year candidate, a heartbreaking realization ahead of their first playoff game since 2002. Stefanski is not the only Browns coach likely to miss the game due to COVID-19 protocols. The offensive line coach, the receivers coach, the tight ends coach and the defensive backs coach are likely to miss the game, too. Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer will act as the head coach, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

With the Browns in a terrible spot, fans couldn’t help but dream about Stefanski’s involvement on Sunday.

We saw a similar situation in late December when Detroit Lions interim head coach Darren Bevell missed a game due to COVID-19 protocols. Bevell told reporters he could be available to work remotely with the team until game day, when he was unable to make any contact with other coaches. That left first-time play-callers Sean Ryan, a quarterbacks coach, and Evan Rothstein, the head coach assistant, to take the lead on offense and defense, respectively. The Lions lost to the Buccaneers, 47-7.

The Browns have to hope for a different result this weekend.

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