Browns’ Kevin Stefanski will let Alex Van Pelt call preseason plays to determine who will handle the chore

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski met with reporters at the NFL combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020.Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com

INDIANAPOLIS — Kevin Stefanski will give offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt a chance to call plays during preseason games to determine who will handle the chore during the season.

“It’s just something that I don’t think we need to make a decision on right this moment here in February," Stefanski said. “But I think in fairness to AVP, I think I need to give him some opportunities to call it in practice, call it in the preseason so that I can get comfortable with him calling it, or I can get comfortable with me calling it, but that’s definitely a fluid situation and Alex understands that.’’

Stefanski said he’d have no problem waiting until after the fourth preseason game to make his decision.

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He also noted that he doesn’t necessarily consider playcalling fun, unlike some coaches such as Kansas City’s Andy Reid.

“Calling plays is exciting, it’s not fun,’’ he said. “When you’re done calling plays you sink into the couch. But what’s fun is winning. So that’s what I’m about and whatever gives the Browns the best chance to have winning, that’s what we’ll do.’’

He said it won’t necessarily be hard for him to give up playcalling. Pat Shurmur, Rob Chudzinski and Hue Jackson all called the plays here, until Jackson turned it over to Todd Haley for the final eight games of 2018.

“Having not gone through what the decision’s going to be, I don’t know, but I can promise you I will do whatever’s in the best interest of the Browns,’’ he said.

The two offensive-minded coaches have about the same amount of playcalling experience under their belts. Stefanski called plays for the Vikings’ final three games of 2018 after John DeFilippo was fired, and then all of last season under the guidance of Gary Kubiak.

The Vikings finished eighth in points per game in 2019, and sixth overall in rushing. They finished 16th in total yards per game and 23rd in passing en route to the NFC Divisional round of the playoffs, where they lost to the 49ers.

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Van Pelt has called plays for one NFL season, in 2009 with the Bills. They finished 28th with 16.1 points per game, and 30th overall on offense in a 6-10 season that year.

“I like a bunch about Alex,’’ Stefanski said. “He’s been in a bunch of different systems and that’s similar to my experience. I think that’s helpful in formulating your own plan of attack. I think highly of his coaching. I think there’s something to be said for being a former player and look at how many backup QBs become successful coaches. That speaks to having to prepare while knowing you may not get any real reps. Alex is a really, really good football coach. All those (play calling) discussions and decisions can wait 'til further in the offseason.’’


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