Cleveland Browns lose OC to the Falcons

The Cleveland Browns are in the market for a new head coach, and whoever takes on the role will also need to add an offensive coordinator to the staff.

That is because Tommy Rees, who took over playcalling for the Browns midway through the 2025 season, is reportedly heading to the Atlanta Falcons to join head coach Kevin Stefanski’s staff.

Cleveland had previously given Rees an interview for their head coach position, but he did not receive a second interview.

This is the second assistant coach the Browns have lost this week, as wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea left on Monday to join Andy Reid’s coaching staff with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Rees had been with the Browns since 2024, when he joined Stefanski’s staff as a tight ends/pass game specialist. He was promoted to offensive coordinator prior to last season and took on the responsibility of calling the offense from Stefanski in Week 10.

Rees worked with quarterback Dillon Gabriel for two starts – the Week 10 game against the New York Jets, where the Browns scored 20 points, and the Week 11 game against the Baltimore Ravens, where the Browns scored all 16 of their points in the first half before Gabriel was sidelined with a concussion.

For the final seven games, Rees worked with quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who helped lead the Browns to a win over the Las Vegas Raiders in his first start, only to lose the next four games as the offense could not find its footing.

The Browns finished the season ranked No. 31 in points scored, No. 30 in yards, No. 30 in first downs, No. 31 in passing yards, No. 30 in passing touchdowns, No. 29 in interceptions, and No. 27 in rushing yards.

Yes, it was a bad season on offense. But not all of it was Rees’ fault, as the quarterback situation was as bad as it has ever been, and the wide receiver group was not much better.

Rees is now off to Atlanta, where Stefanski has also added former Cleveland offensive line coach Bill Callahan to his staff.