BREAKING: KEVIN STEFANSKI CONSIDERING GIVING UP PLAY-CALLING AFTER ANOTHER BROWNS OFFENSIVE MELTDOWN
The Cleveland Browns have started two quarterbacks through six games, but still have yet to eclipse 17 points in any contest this season.
That trend continued on Sunday, October 12 in rookie Dillon Gabriel’s second start under center. Cleveland hit the road to take on the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers, but left the Steel City with its fifth loss of the year via a 23-9 defeat.
Two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski is back in the hot seat after the team’s difficult start and told media members following the game that he is considering a drastic change to the offense in an effort to generate a much-needed spark.
Stefanski said “there’s a long list of things we gotta do better” in an answer that included potentially changing play-callers.
“Stefanski said ‘there’s a long list of things we gotta do better’ in an answer that included potentially changing play-callers,” Zac Jackson of The Athletic reported via X.
Browns New OC Tommy Rees Most Likely Candidate to Take Over Play-Calling Duties From Kevin Stefanski
Should Cleveland switch up play-calling duties, the likelihood is that Stefanski would surrender those responsibilities to first-year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.
Rees joined the Browns staff in 2024 as the tight ends coach and pass game specialist. He replaced the fired Ken Dorsey in the role of OC heading into the 2025 campaign. Rees, a former quarterback at Notre Dame (2010-13), was that university’s offensive coordinator between 2020-22.
During a media session on October 9, Rees spoke about a lack of explosive plays in what has been an anemic offense in Cleveland through six games.
“We always try to look as internal as possible, right? Like what can we do?” Rees responded. “So, we’re not going to look very outward on that. I mean, there’s certainly schematic things — you might call a play and they’re in soft shell and it’s not the right look for it. That happens. But when we have the look and we’re not able to capitalize on that, we’re going to look inward and figure out how we improve those things.”
Either Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders Likely to Start for Browns at QB for Remainder of Season
Reese may get his chance to be the decision-maker with regards to the offense’s improvement, a proposition that comes with considerable risk and potential reward.
Nothing will be easy for Cleveland’s offense moving forward for a variety of reasons. One factor is a lack of elite talent at the offensive tackle position. Another is a lack of options at wide receiver outside of No. 1 Jerry Jeudy. But the biggest issue may be the fact that the Browns are likely to start one of two rookie quarterbacks for the remainder of 2025.
Gabriel is the current starter and will likely remain in that position for the foreseeable future.
#Browns Kevin Stefanski said he never pondered going to Shedeur Sanders to spare Dillon Gabriel more of a beating.
“#Browns Kevin Stefanski said he never pondered going to Shedeur Sanders to spare Dillon Gabriel more of a beating,” Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported Sunday.
Stefanski named Shedeur Sanders QB2 late last week, and he is likely to get his chance to play at some point. However, it appears as though Gabriel has some significant runway to develop, assuming he can avoid injury.
Gabriel completed 29-of-52 pass attempts for 221 yards and took six sacks against the Steelers Sunday after going 19-of-33 for 190 yards and 2 TDs against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5.
NFL BREAKING: The Detroit Lions Make History by Appointing a Man as Their CHEERING CAPTAIN for the 2025-2026 Season
The Detroit Lions have made a move that’s breaking tradition and stirring conversation far beyond the football field. For the first time in NFL history, the team has appointed a man as their official cheering captain for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. The announcement, made quietly via a social media post late Tuesday night, quickly exploded into a full-blown national debate, with videos of his high-energy performances spreading like wildfire and generating millions of views within hours.
The man at the center of it all is 28-year-old Marcus “Blaze” Hartman, a Detroit native known for his electrifying dance skills, fearless showmanship, and ability to rally a crowd like few others. Hartman, who previously performed with professional dance troupes and appeared on national talent shows, was selected after an open audition process that drew hundreds of applicants. Team officials described him as “charismatic, dynamic, and exactly the kind of energy we want on the sidelines.”
But what might have been a lighthearted, feel-good story has instead sparked heated controversy. Within minutes of the announcement, fans began clashing online. Supporters hailed the decision as progressive and inclusive, breaking the gender stereotypes that have defined professional cheerleading for decades. “It’s 2025 — about time we let talent speak for itself,” one Lions fan tweeted. Others praised the team for embracing diversity in a role traditionally reserved for women, noting that male cheerleaders are common in college sports but still rare in the NFL.
On the other side, critics have accused the Lions of turning a football tradition into a publicity stunt. Some season ticket holders posted that they were “disappointed” and even threatened to boycott games, arguing that the move is a distraction from the team’s focus on winning. “We want touchdowns, not TikTok dancers,” one detractor wrote on Facebook, summing up the sentiment of a vocal minority who see the appointment as unnecessary.
Marcus Hartman, unfazed by the backlash, has taken to social media to introduce himself directly to Lions Nation. In a video that’s already surpassed two million views, he addressed the camera in full team gear, saying, “Detroit, I’m here to bring the noise, bring the pride, and help you lose your voice every Sunday. This is our season. Let’s go!” The clip showed snippets of his jaw-dropping flips, dance routines, and crowd-leading chants, accompanied by the roaring approval of fans who have already seen him in action during preseason events.
Inside the Lions organization, the decision appears to have strong support. Several players have publicly welcomed Hartman, with defensive star Aidan Hutchinson posting, “If he can get Ford Field rocking even louder, I’m all for it.” Head coach Dan Campbell, known for his fiery personality, shrugged off the controversy in his typical blunt fashion: “If a guy’s out there making our fans loud, making it tough for the other team, I don’t care if it’s a guy, girl, robot, or lion mascot. Loud is loud.”
Still, the move raises questions about the evolving role of entertainment in professional sports. NFL teams have long relied on cheer squads to add energy and visual spectacle to the game-day experience. With the rise of social media, that role has expanded, turning cheerleaders into brand ambassadors and viral content creators. By bringing in a male cheering captain, the Lions are signaling a willingness to shake up that formula — and they’re betting that the buzz will translate into even greater fan engagement.
The team has already released footage of Hartman’s routines, showcasing his blend of acrobatics, hip-hop choreography, and interactive chants. In one viral clip, he sprints the length of the sideline waving an enormous Lions flag, then launches into a series of backflips before landing in a split, all while leading a “One Pride!” chant that reverberated through the stadium. Whether you love it or hate it, it’s impossible to deny the man’s skill and stage presence.
As the season approaches, the debate shows no signs of slowing down. Sports talk radio in Detroit has devoted entire segments to the topic, with callers passionately defending or condemning the move. National media outlets have picked up the story, framing it as part of a larger cultural shift in sports toward inclusivity and breaking old traditions. “The Lions aren’t just building a football team,” one columnist wrote. “They’re building a brand — and they know exactly how to get people talking.”
For Marcus Hartman, the mission is simple: keep the crowd fired up and the energy level at Ford Field unmatched. “You’re gonna see me every week, rain or shine, win or lose,” he said in another post. “And if you’re not standing and screaming by the end of the game, I’m not doing my job.” With that kind of confidence, it’s clear he’s not just stepping into the role — he’s owning it.
Whether this groundbreaking move becomes a beloved part of Lions culture or a short-lived experiment will depend on how fans respond once the season is underway. But one thing is already certain: the Detroit Lions have made history, and the NFL is paying attention.
