Dawgs By Nature
When Kevin Stefanski was hired as the Cleveland Browns’ new head coach back in 2020, he was hired for his offensive prowess and knowledge.
He was responsible for bringing the stagnant Browns offense to life from the disaster of former head coach Freddie Kitchens and developing a method to score lots of points. In today’s NFL landscape, placing 17 points on the board each game won’t cut it. Stefanski was supposed to be the answer to an offensive attack that had no direction.
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And right off, Stefanski had a lot of success. His offense was tight end-heavy, which helped the run game with extra blockers and big receivers who could find soft patches in the middle for medium gains and convert first downs.
Stefanski also inherited an offense that already had running backs Nick Chubb and newly signed D’Ernest Johnson, who had been the leading rusher of the defunct AAF, plus grabbing Kareem Hunt. Baker Mayfield had been installed as the new quarterback after being taken first overall in the 2018 NFL draft. And the offensive line had been built into an improving group with Joel Bitonio, Chris Hubbard, Wyatt Teller, and J.C. Tretter.
Under Kitchens, Cleveland was ranked 12th in rushing yards (1,901). In Stefanski’s first year, the Browns ranked third in the league behind the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans.
For his efforts, Stefanski was voted NFL Coach of the Year as Cleveland went from a 6-10-0 record to 11-5-0 and their first playoff berth since bread was available as pre-sliced and everyone owned a rotary phone (only slight hyperbole).
The key to all this was the running back room. Chubb was an exceptional back that harkened back to the days when NFL clubs featured one guy like Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson, or Earl Campbell. Chubb was that type of dominant RB who could be utilized 25-30 times a game. Plus, Chubb was a great blocker and had excellent hands, which helped the passing attack tremendously.
Hunt had been the NFL rushing leader before his expulsion from the Kansas City Chiefswhile Johnson was an excellent change-of-pace option who, when sparingly counted on to be featured in a starting role, came through and was productive.
Two words: A truly great running back room. Okay, that’s six words, but “great room” sounded like a furniture store.
The offensive line at the time made it plausible, but the actual running backs made it exceptional. The key to all this was Chubb being an amazing back.
So, now here it is, 2025. Stefanski won another Coach of the Year award back in 2023 when he piecemealed an offense that was led by five different starting quarterbacks. He also patched an offensive line that lost almost every Week 1 starter. Well, O-Line Bill Callahan did his usual magic with the offensive line, so let’s make that correction. (Callahan has since departed.)
As Browns fans and those who cover the Browns, we all...
