Bill Callahan is leaving the Browns to serve as offensive line coach under his son Brian, new head coach of the Tennessee Titans. (Phil Masturzo)
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
(One in a series of position recaps as Browns head into the 2024 player transaction season.)
Position group: Offensive line.
Players under contract: Joel Bitonio, 32, (through 2025); Jack Conklin, 29, (2026); Dawson Deaton, 24, (2025); Drew Forbes, 27, (2024); James Hudson, 24, (2024); Dawand Jones, 22, (2026); Justin Murray, 31, (2024); Ethan Pocic, 28 (2025); Wyatt Teller, 29, (2025); Leroy Watson, 25, (2024); Jedrick Wills, 24, (2024); Luke Wypler, 22, (2026).
Players not under contract: Geron Christian, 27; Michael Dunn, 29; Nick Harris, 25.
Position coaches: Bill Callahan (formerly) and Scott Peters.
Overview: Callahan is leaving the Browns to join his son, Brian, who was named head coach of the Tennessee Titans. I can’t overstate what a loss this is to the Browns. Why do you think the Browns were able to function offensively in the last month of the season while forced to start their second left tackle and third right tackle? Why did Jones fit in seamlessly for Conklin at right tackle in Game 2 and beyond? Why were the Browns able to insert Christian off the practice squad at left tackle after Wills’ knee injury and not suffer any measurable setback? Callahan paid all his players the same attention and trained them to be ready to fill in whenever called. He was the brains behind the Browns’ outside, and inside, zone running scheme. He also was an invaluable resource for young coach Kevin Stefanski.
Issues: The Browns will replace Callahan with a competent offensive line coach. But I wonder, without Callahan, whether they can adequately evaluate the merits of flipping Wills to right tackle and Jones to left tackle. Conklin’s future is also an important issue. He has missed 29 games the last three years because of injuries. I expect the Browns to give him the chance to reclaim his starting job. They’re in good shape to replace him with Jones if Conklin can’t come back.
Peviously: