At one point during the 2018 season, the Cleveland Browns were 2-6-1. The team had just fired head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley in an attempt to purge the organization of a completely dysfunctional relationship.

Jackson and Haley had been at each other's throats since the moment Haley was hired, as their offensive visions were very different, and Haley had aspirations of succeeding Jackson as head coach. Nothing was working for the young team.

Rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield had shown promise, but was unable to settle into a rhythm, as when his receivers weren't dropping passes, his offensive line was giving up sacks. Moving on from the Jackson and Haley tandem was a positive, but not many expected the Browns to salvage the season.

Baker Mayfield

Nothing could have been further from the truth. Since their loss to the Chiefs, the Browns finished the season 5-2, one of the hottest teams in the league. Over the final seven games, Mayfield was been sacked only three times. Against the best defense in football, he threw three touchdowns to bring his season total to 27, breaking the rookie record for TD passes held by Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning, while playing in only 13.5 games. Nick Chubb did not receive more than three carries until the seventh game of the season, and finished with 996 rushing yards..

Cleveland's offense has been nearly as good as that of the Kansas City Chiefs, and while Mayfield's improvement is a major factor, the work of new offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens cannot be understated. He is protecting his quarterback, creating schemes that other teams are copying, and has revitalized the careers of former first-round busts Greg Robinson and Breshad Perriman.

No matter what general manager John Dorsey decides to do at head coach, the Browns must keep Kitchens, no matter what. However, because of his extraordinary success, Cleveland cannot take him for granted. There are four main scenarios in which Freddie Kitchens remains with the Browns, either as offensive coordinator or head coach.

Baker Mayfield, Browns
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4. Bruce Arians

Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians has been on record for nearly two decades stating that he has wanted to be the head coach of the Browns. Although he retired after last season due to health reasons, he is still keeping the door open to a possible return if the Browns offer him his dream job. Under Arians in Arizona, Kitchens served as quarterbacks coach and later runningbacks coach, so the two have a close working relationship. Arians has stated that he would keep Kitchens as the OC and playcaller, which seems like the obvious thing to do. Arians is 66 years old and is not in the best health, so delegating the offense to Kitchens could relieve a large amount of stress. His leadership and personality would be a perfect fit in Cleveland, and he is an oddity in that he actually wants to work for the Browns, and not just because the team looks to be on the cusp of being great.

Arians experienced success with the Cardinals, reviving the career of Carson Palmer. If it weren't for some very unfortunate injuries, Arizona may have won a Super Bowl during Arians' stint.

Bruce Arians
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In 2017, the Cardinals had a very similar team, except with a worse QB situation and without David Johnson, and Arians led them to an 8-8 finish. This year, Arizona is dead last in the NFL at 3-12. Arians is a proven commodity and a QB whisperer, and his personality should mesh perfectly with that of Mayfield.

Because of Kitchens' recent success, hiring Arians could be more than just a win-now move. Kitchens has shown that he deserves at the very least to remain on as the offensive coordinator, and if he keeps up this level of effectiveness, a head coaching position should soon follow. Learning under someone he is familiar with would be a great opportunity for Kitchens to grow, and he would be the obvious successor to Arians when the maverick retires for good.

3. Gregg Williams

While it is easy to attribute Cleveland's hot streak to Kitchens, it is inarguable that Gregg Williams as head coach has had a major impact on the team. The Browns' defense isn't dominant like fans would have it to be, but it has done enough to get Williams five wins in seven tries. He has instilled a culture of competition and accountability, and, much like Kitchens, his personality is a fantastic fit for Cleveland's franchise QB. Williams and Kitchens make a great team, as the results prove. The question is how much of the improvement is Williams is responsible for, and if his past is going to prevent him from getting a full-time head coaching gig.

 

2. A different head coach who will keep Kitchens

If Dorsey decides that neither Arians nor Williams is the right man to lead the Browns in the future, he will have to look elsewhere, and if he hopes to retain Kitchens, his options will be limited. Hiring an offensive-minded coach like Adam Gase, Mike McCarthy, or Josh McDaniels would mean handing over play-calling duties, which would all but guarantee Kitchens' departure. The solution is to look for a defensive or special teams coach who would be content with Kitchens staying on as OC. However, this is dangerous, as the new coach must be 100% on board with keeping Kitchens, and that decision must be entirely voluntary. Cleveland has just experienced what harm a forced marriage can bring, and cannot afford to do that again.

One candidate is Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub, who is a well-respected motivator and has an excellent track record of coaching special teams. Dorsey has been a big Toub fan even before the pair worked together with the Chiefs, and no matter who the next head coach ends up being, it is likely that Toub will get an interview. It remains to be seen whether Toub would prefer to keep Kitchens or to being someone from Kansas City instead.

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Any situation in which Kitchens stays as OC would almost necessitate a pay increase; other teams would be crazy not to talk to Kitchens for their openings, and the Browns have to make it worth his while to stay.

1. Take the risk and make Kitchens the head coach

Yes, Kitchens has been a playcaller for only seven games. On paper, there is a severe lack of experience, and if the risk doesn't pay off, the Browns will pay dearly for their mistake. However, many successful NFL coaches, including Mike Vrabel, Anthony Lynn, John Harbaugh, and Andy Reid had even less impressive resumes when they were made head coaches. Cleveland has a solid sample size of Kitchens to consider, and his off-field impact has been invaluable. Mayfield was able to put up 376 yards and three TDs on the best defense in the NFL.

The Ravens have given up a 300 or more passing yards three times this season; once to Patrick Mahomes, and twice to Mayfield. Kitchens may not have been responsible for the first outing, but his scheme was why the Browns were able to score 24 points (plus a missed field goal and a dropped 93-yard touchdown by Jarvis Landry). This is more than just competent coaching; it's exceptional coaching, and no matter what Cleveland decides to do with their vacant head coach spot, Freddie Kitchens must be retained at all costs.

Bruce Arians has a famous saying; “No risk it, no biscuit”. Kitchens has undoubtedly heard that one many times, and it may be time for the Browns to take his advice. Baker Mayfield was a massive risk, and that one appears to have paid off. Perhaps the same thing will happen with Freddie Kitchens as head coach.