Cleveland Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski had an outstanding 2020 season.
It was his first year as an NFL head coach, and he navigated a young team through a pandemic.
He did it with grace, class, and true leadership.
It is no wonder he was named NFL Coach of the Year.
With that being said, he was the play caller for all but one game this season.
You recall that one, the wildcard playoff where he sat at home with COVID-19.
There are still plenty of plays to consider, but here are the top three courtesy of Brownsnation.com.
3. Kendall Lamm’s Touchdown Catch, Tennessee Titans, December 6, 2020
This was a third and goal play to extend the lead over the Titans.
The Browns were not a favorite in this game but came out strongly.
When Kendall Lamm checked in as an eligible receiver, it went almost unnoticed.
After all, the big man never caught a touchdown pass in his six year career.
That is precisely what made this play call genius, it was completely unexpected and unprecedented.
Lamm did his part to get wide open in the end zone and showed off soft hands hauling in the Mayfield pass.
2. Jarvis Landry Throws Touchdown to OBJ, Dallas Cowboys, October 4, 2020
Them @LSUfootball Boys are up to sumthin‼️😱
Jarvis Landry connects with OBJ for a 37-yard TD in Dallas
(via @Browns) pic.twitter.com/nikkBwR4NA
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 4, 2020
This is the opening drive of the game.
Stefanski calls the perfect play.
There are a lot of speedy people moving in different directions.
The reverse is executed beautifully between Mayfield and Chubb.
Then, there is the handoff to Landry who absolutely puts the ball where it needed to be.
It was not a casual toss either.
That’s a 37-yard southpaw pass that has some Jarvis “Juice” on it.
1. Buzzer Beater TD Pass From Mayfield To DPJ, Cincinnati Bengals, October 25, 2020
DPJ FOR THE GO-AHEAD TD IN CINCY‼️🐶
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/v0j8bpDuyf
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 25, 2020
To be a great play caller, you must have guts and nerves of steel.
The Browns are down by 3 with 16 seconds remaining in the game.
It is second down; they are at the Bengals 25 yard line.
This is not the play call of a coach thinking about evening the score and heading into overtime.
Stefanski is going for broke with a big pass to the rookie WR Donovan Peoples-Jones.
This is one of the two touchdown passes DPJ caught during the 2020 season.
It resulted in a big win.
Can Stefanski Top 2020?
Of course he can.
It seems like he and the Browns are just getting started.
A year of experience to build on is what 2020 gave to the Browns offense.
With so much upside with young players and Stefanski’s creativity, 2021 could be fantastic for the Browns offense.
There was talk of delegating play calling to offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt during the 2020 non-existent preseason.
Stefanski opted to call plays because there were no preseason games to “try out” Alex Van Pelt.
Trial came by fire for AVP as he called the plays in the wildcard win over the Steelers as Stefanski was sidelined by COVID-19.
It will be interesting to see if Stefanski assumes play calling responsibilities next season or hands it off to Van Pelt.
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