Hall of Famer Joe Thomas Rejects Cleveland Browns Coaching Offer
In a shocking turn of events, legendary Cleveland Browns player Joe Thomas has declined an offer to join the team’s coaching staff. Despite his status as a Hall of Famer and a recipient of 10 Pro Bowls, all achieved during his time with the Browns, Thomas has made it clear that coaching is not on his radar at this point in his life.
In an interview with cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot on February 3, Thomas stated, “I won’t be interested in NFL or college jobs until my kids are in college. Maybe not even then, but certainly not until then.” This statement dashes any hopes of Thomas returning to the Browns as a coach under Kevin Stefanski’s leadership.
The departure of offensive line coach Bill Callahan has left the Browns in need of a replacement. Callahan, who was highly regarded as one of the best position coaches in the business, left to join his son, Brian Callahan, with the Tennessee Titans. Despite having one more year on his contract with the Browns, the team did not stand in the way of the father-son reunion.
Brian Callahan, upon landing the head coaching job with the Titans, expressed his excitement at the prospect of working alongside his father. “I don’t know how many fathers and sons have been head coaches in the NFL. I don’t think it’s many,” he said on January 25. “And that’s a really prideful thing for him to be associated with.”
Bill Callahan had been the Browns’ offensive line coach for the past four seasons, leaving behind a significant void to be filled. As the team searches for a suitable replacement, it is clear that Joe Thomas will not be the one to step into Callahan’s shoes.
Browns Coaching Staff Changes Raise Eyebrows
In a surprising move, the Cleveland Browns have made significant changes to their coaching staff this offseason. The team has decided to part ways with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, running backs coach Stump Mitchell, and tight ends coach T.C. McCartney. The decision to fire Van Pelt, in particular, left many within the organization shocked.
According to NFL insider Albert Breer of the MMQB, Van Pelt’s dismissal was due to the frustration of ownership and Paul DePodesta, the Browns’ Chief Strategy Officer, with the progress of Deshaun Watson. The move caught many members of the coaching staff off guard, as they were unaware of Van Pelt’s true value to the team.
Although Van Pelt did not call the plays in Cleveland, he played a crucial role in keeping the offense afloat despite numerous injuries to key players, including Watson, Nick Chubb, and multiple offensive linemen. Breer described Van Pelt as the “glue” that held the coaching staff together.
Despite his departure from the Browns, Van Pelt wasted no time in finding a new opportunity. On February 1, he was hired as the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.
To fill the void left by Van Pelt, the Browns have brought in former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. However, the team still faces questions regarding their offensive line, which has been a strength under head coach Kevin Stefanski.
While Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, and Ethan Pocic provide stability on the interior, the tackle position presents a challenge. The Browns’ top three tackles, Dawand Jones, Jack Conklin, and Jedrick Wills, are all recovering from season-ending injuries. If they return to full health next season, the coaching staff will need to make tough decisions on who starts. Additionally, both Conklin and Wills come with significant salary cap hits.
Dawand Jones, a fourth-round pick, was thrust into action early in the season due to Conklin’s injury. Despite his inexperience, he impressed and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. His performance earned a solid grade of 64.7 on Pro Football Focus.
As the Browns search for a replacement for offensive line coach Bill Callahan, addressing the tackle situation will be a top priority for the new hire.
J.R. DeGroote, a sports reporter covering the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Lakers, provides insights into the team’s coaching changes and the challenges they face moving forward.
