Rees was a standout quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2010 to 2013. Shortly after his playing days were over, Rees showed interest in coaching the sport he’d played his entire life. In recent years, he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame before taking on the same role at the University of Alabama. Rees reached the NFL coaching scene in 2024 when the Browns hired him as their pass game specialist and tight ends coach. After being promoted by Head Coach Kevin Stefanski today, Rees now assumes the role of offensive coordinator moving forward.

Stefanski was an offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings before landing the job as Cleveland’s head coach, so he must like what he sees in Rees. Traditionally, Stefanski and coaches from a similar lineage tend to predicate their offenses around run-heavy schemes that capitalize on play-action opportunities through the air. The most likely outcome is a return to this philosophy in 2025 after former offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, who previously worked with the Buffalo Bills, attempted to install a spread offense in Cleveland.

This bodes well for Browns running backs moving forward, though it’s unclear who their starter will be next season. All-Pro running back Nick Chubb finished the season early after suffering a broken foot in late December. Jerome Ford is slated to be the next man up, should Chubb miss any time.

Reported by Trey Kroll (@TreyK_FB on Twitter/X)