CLEVELAND, Ohio – Talking to myself as the Browns make some coaching moves:

QUESTION: Why are the Browns shaking up their coaching staff, especially moving on from Alex Van Pelt?

ANSWER: Van Pelt was in an odd position. He had the title of offensive coordinator, but didn’t call the plays. That’s not unique. In Dallas, head coach Mike McCarthy calls the plays. Brian Schottenheimer is the offensive coordinator. In Kansas City, head coach Andy Reid calls the plays. Matt Nagy is the offensive coordinator.

Q: Why even give the guy the title if he’s not the play-caller?

A: The offensive coordinator often runs the meetings with the offense during the week. He should have a lot of input on the game plan for each week and developing an offense.

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Q: Why not let the guy call plays?

A: Some head coaches are good at it. From the moment the Browns hired Kevin Stefanski as head coach in 2020, the plan was for him to also call plays. Before this season, I interviewed GM Andrew Berry. Here’s what he said about Stefanski and play-calling: “There are no qualms about Kevin being able to do both, the play-calling and the CEO coach. A number of coaches do it. Kevin has the capacity and track record to do it. He has the support around him with his coaching staff.”

Q: So he’ll keep calling plays?

A: Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported it was possible Stefanski would allow the new offensive coordinator to call plays. I heard the same thing from another NFL source, but I wonder …

Q: Meaning what?

A: It’s very hard for most head coaches who have called plays to give up those duties. Often, calling plays as an offensive coordinator led to them becoming a head coach. A lot of their identity as a coach is connected to play-calling. It’s also hard for a head coach to hand off game-time control of the offense after having been calling the plays for years – it’s a feeling of losing control for some coaches.

Q: How many coaches called their own plays in 2023?

A: I counted at least a dozen. Some big names include Kyle Shanahan (49ers), Sean McVay (Rams), Mike McDaniel (Dolphins), Doug Pederson (Jags), Zac Taylor (Bengals) and Matt LaFleur (Packers). Of the 14 teams that made the playoffs, seven had head coaches calling the plays on offense.

Q: So you don’t think Stefanski would agree to a new setup where someone else calls the plays?

A: I don’t have an answer to that. Nor do I know if a new play-caller is really what the Browns have in mind when it comes to the search for an offensive coordinator.

Q: What is driving the change?

A: It’s the need to find an offense better suited for Deshaun Watson. In my column right after news broke that Van Pelt and a few other coaching changes are being made, Watson was the main theme. Yes, the Browns were 4-1 in games where he played most of the snaps. But Browns fans know he was inconsistent. If you look at stats such as passer ratings, Pro Football Focus grades, ESPN’s QBR – Watson ranks between 23rd and 28th among starting QBs.

Q: Is that the fault of coaching?

A: I doubt it. It’s a product of sitting out the entire 2021 season, then being suspended for the first 11 games of 2022. It’s him dealing with shoulder problems and then surgery, ending his 2023 season after six games.

Q: So it’s not coaching?

A: Maybe the Browns think it’s a trouble spot. They want to find a system that can bring Watson somewhat close to his three-time Pro Bowl form with Houston (2018-20). They have to be asking themselves, “Why did this guy complete 67% of his passes in Houston, and he’s only 60% in Cleveland? And where are the big plays?”

Q: If Watson had trouble with “rust” after a long layoff, why didn’t that impact Joe Flacco?

A: Fascinating question. While Watson had the 700 days between regular season NFL games, Flacco played on Jan. 8, 2023, with the Jets and then not again until Dec. 3, 2023 with the Browns. That’s an 11-month gap, and it didn’t take long for Flacco to be NFL ready.

Q: You didn’t answer the question.

A: I don’t have an answer, other than Stefanski’s favorite system of a QB taking snaps directly under center and using a lot of play-action fakes to running backs is ideal for Flacco

Q: But not Watson.

A: Correct. But it’s the job of the coaching staff to find the right system for Watson. Before you even ask, Watson isn’t going anywhere. Not only does he have three fully guaranteed years left on his contract at $64 million annually (salary cap figure), he also has a full no-trade clause. The last time he was traded, Watson’s agent used the no-trade clause to negotiate the stunning five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal with Cleveland. The Browns are cemented to Watson. They have to make this work.

Q: Why did they fire running backs coach Stump Mitchell?

A: I’m not close enough to the team to understand how the different assistants interacted with the players and other coaches. I can’t even guess about some of the moves. I just know the big picture is to find an offense that will bring more out of Watson. Obviously, it’s more than only Watson, but he drives the offense. The Browns were pleased with the changes they made last year, bringing in new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone. They want “fresh eyes” on the offense. That’s behind the moves. We’ll see if that also means Stefanski gives up play-calling, but I doubt that will happen.