The Cleveland Browns 5-12 season was defined by a historic lack of offensive identity.
Cleveland finished last in the NFL in points per drive, and 31st in average points per game (16.4). This was largely due to a stagnant passing attack and an offensive line decimated by injuries. It was one of the main reasons that owner Jimmy Haslam fired Kevin Stefanski as head coach.
So how can the Browns kick start this lethargic offense and start scoring? How about a fresh, creative mind with proven results as the next sideline boss?
Enter Nate Scheelhaase, pass game coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. As per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Browns have officially requested to interview him.
Scheelhaase is the latest hot assistant prospect from the Sean McVay coaching tree. His philosophy addresses Cleveland’s biggest roster headaches:
The “13 Personnel” Revolution: While the 2025 Browns struggled to run the ball effectively, Scheelhaase gained league-wide acclaim for his 13-personnel packages (one RB, three TEs). By using heavy personnel to create passing mismatches, he could maximize Browns’ tight end Harold Fannin Jr., while protecting a hopefully rebuilt offensive line with shorter, rhythmic passing concepts.
Protection Through Motion: Cleveland ranked last in pressure rate allowed last season. Scheelhaase’s scheme utilizes “illusion of complexity”. This uses a lot of pre-snap motion and shifts to freeze pass-rushers and give the quarterback “easy” pre-snap reads. This is the exact “QB-friendly” system needed to settle a chaotic Cleveland quarterback room.
Red Zone Lethal: A major flaw for the 2025 Browns was their inability to finish drives. In contrast, Scheelhaase’s offensive roots are built on efficiency; during his tenure at Iowa State, his offense ranked second nationally in red zone efficiency, a trait he brought to a Rams team that was 1st in the NFL in average points per game (30.5) this season.
Maximizing the Playmakers: Just as he unlocked Puka Nacua (led the league with 129 receptions in 2025), Scheelhaase’s “spacing concepts” are designed to get the ball into the hands of playmakers in space. For a Browns team that suffered from the second-most dropped passes in the NFL, his focus on “clarity and command” in route running could be the key to revitalizing the receiving corps. A nice shiny new rookie wide receiver in the draft would help too!
The Las Vegas Raiders have also requested an interview with Scheelhaase. Cleveland may have to make a decision sooner-than-later if they want to bring the 35-year old to northeast Ohio.
