Browns hire Alex Van Pelt as offensive coordinator

The Cleveland Browns have named former Bills, Bucaneers, Packers, and Bengals quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt as their offensive coordinator.

Another piece of the puzzle is falling into place for Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns. Stefanski now has his offensive coordinator in Alex Van Pelt.

Alex Van Pelt has been in the NFL as a coach in some capacity since 2006. Van Pelt started in Buffalo as an offensive quality control coach before working his way up to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2009. A brief stint in Tampa Bay followed before heading off to Green Bay. Initially their running backs coach, Van Pelt developed a relationship with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterbacks coach for four seasons. To the dismay of Rodgers, Van Pelt was not retained by the Packers. Van Pelt subsequently joined the Cincinnati Bengals before coming to the Cleveland Browns.

While in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers had three of his best seasons. From 2014-2016 Rodgers totaled 12,630 passing yards and 109 touchdowns. Rodgers only through 20 interceptions in those three seasons, less than all of Baker Mayfield’s 2019 campaign.

Now, Baker Mayfield is not Aaron Rodgers. Not now and probably not ever. Rodgers is an elite quarterback and there is a good chance Mayfield will not reach that level. The duo of Kevin Stefanski and Alex Van Pelt may be able to help Baker Mayfield improve, but it is highly unlikely that he is able to accomplish anything close to what Rodgers did while Van Pelt was with the Packers.