In a stunning move that has Cleveland Browns fans buzzing with anticipation, the organization confirmed a major shakeup during their NFL bye week.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski has officially relinquished play calling duties for the upcoming Week 10 matchup against the New York Jets, handing over the reins to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.

This decision comes amid a turbulent season for the Browns’ offense and raises questions about whether this change can spark the team’s struggling unit back to life.

At the same time, Browns fans are anxiously awaiting updates on backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who has been sidelined with a back injury.

The latest news from Stefanski offers a cautiously optimistic outlook on Sanders’ availability and potential impact in the coming weeks.

Here’s everything you need to know about these pivotal developments and what they could mean for the Browns’ playoff hopes.

The announcement that Kevin Stefanski would give up play calling duties did not come as a total surprise, but it still sent shockwaves through the Browns community.

Stefanski, who has been the offensive play caller since taking over as head coach, faced mounting criticism as the Browns’ offense sputtered through the first half of the season.

Fans and analysts alike have questioned the creativity and effectiveness of the play calling, which has often appeared predictable and stagnant.

Tommy Rees, the team’s offensive coordinator, will take over play calling responsibilities for the game against the Jets.

This is not the first time Stefanski has handed over the reins mid-season; last year, he ceded play calling to Ken Dorsey before Week 8, which coincided with a notable uptick in offensive performance, including a key victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Stefanski’s decision is rooted in a desire to inject fresh energy and creativity into the offense.

“The bye week gives you an opportunity to look at everything,” Stefanski said in a press conference.

“Bottom line is we have to be better. We have to be better in a lot of facets of the offensive side. And I just felt like Tommy is somebody that I believe in.”

Rees, who was hired a few years ago and has a strong coaching pedigree, is expected to bring a new approach to the Browns’ offensive game plan.

His recent experience includes successful play calling stints at Notre Dame, and he maintains a connection to the college game, which could benefit the Browns’ younger players, including quarterbacks Dylan Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this change is how it might affect the Browns’ wide receiver room, especially Jerry Judy.

Judy, who was held to zero catches in the last game against the Patriots, could be poised for a breakout under Rees’ play calling.

Historical data shows Judy’s stats significantly improved when Dorsey took over play calling last season, with nearly 1,000 receiving yards and three touchdowns in fewer games than under Stefanski.

Stefanski himself has acknowledged Judy as the team’s best wide receiver and emphasized the need to get him more involved in the offense.

“He’s our best wide receiver. We believe in him. We have to do a better job and that’s what we’ll do,” Stefanski said.

Fans are eagerly predicting Judy’s stat line for the upcoming game, hoping that the change in play calling will finally unlock his full potential.

The hope is that Rees will design plays that put Judy in better positions to succeed, helping to revive the Browns’ passing attack.

However, Stefanski also made it clear that while Rees will have full control over play calling, including big decisions like going for it on fourth down, Stefanski will still have final say on some plays.

This means the offense might still carry some of Stefanski’s fingerprints, but the fresh perspective from Rees is expected to provide a much-needed boost.

Amid the coaching changes, the Browns’ backup quarterback situation remains a point of concern.

Shedeur Sanders, who has been inactive due to a reported back injury, received an update from Stefanski during practice.

Sanders was limited in practice but is pushing hard in rehab, with the hope that he will be active for the Week 10 game.

Stefanski emphasized that Sanders’ status is still uncertain and will depend on his progress over the next few days.

“We’ll see how he progresses. If he can be quarterback two, that’s the plan,” Stefanski said.

Sanders himself expressed frustration after being inactive in the previous game, stating it was not his choice and that he expected to be healthy following the bye week.

This suggests the injury might not be as serious as initially feared, and Sanders could soon be ready to contribute.

The backup quarterback role is critical for the Browns, especially with starter Joshua Dobbs dealing with injuries and inconsistent play.

Bailey Zappe has been the primary backup in Sanders’ absence, but many fans and analysts question the readiness of the team’s quarterback depth chart.

One major concern is the lack of reps Sanders has received with the first-team offense.

If he is to be the true backup, it would make sense for him to get meaningful practice time with the starters to prepare for potential game action.

Currently, it appears the Browns are prioritizing Dylan Gabriel as the immediate backup, leaving Sanders somewhat underprepared.

Despite this, there is optimism that when the time comes for Sanders to take over, the coaching staff will adjust the game plan to fully integrate him.

Until then, the Browns are trying to balance developing Gabriel while keeping Sanders ready to step in.

The Browns’ coaching and player changes signal a team in transition, desperate to find answers as the playoff race tightens.

The play calling switch to Tommy Rees could breathe new life into an offense that has struggled to find rhythm, especially in the passing game.

Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders’ potential return adds intrigue to the quarterback competition and offers hope for a more dynamic offense in the weeks ahead.

However, there are no guarantees.

Stefanski’s continued involvement in play calling means the team’s identity won’t dramatically shift overnight.

The offense’s success will depend on execution, player health, and the ability to adapt quickly to new strategies.

Fans are encouraged to weigh in on how many more games they believe Dylan Gabriel will get before the Browns consider a change at quarterback.

The pressure is mounting, and every game counts.

As Cleveland prepares for their Week 10 showdown against the struggling New York Jets, all eyes will be on the offense to see if these changes can spark a turnaround.

Will Jerry Judy finally break out? Can Shedeur Sanders return and make an impact? And will the Browns take a step forward or continue to stumble?

Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the Browns are not standing still, and their bold moves during the bye week could define the rest of their season.