The Cleveland Browns have received no shortage of requests from other NFL teams to interview their interim offensive coordinator, Freddie Kitchens, and to this point, they have declined those inquiries.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network and NFL.com, “the Browns want their new head coach to have an opportunity to hire” Kitchens, who held the play-calling duties over the final eight games of the 2018 regular season.
Earlier this week, Browns general manager John Dorsey said that interim coach Gregg Williams was not the only in-house candidate to earn an interview for the full-time head-coaching vacancy over the final eight weeks of the 2018 regular season.
In helping the Browns increase their average points per game, Kitchens, who is still under contract, will be one of the candidates interviewed for the opening. That interview is expected to take place early next week.
“I think he has earned it,” Dorsey said of Kitchens in his end-of-the-year press conference Monday. “He has done a nice job in his role as offensive coordinator. I think this organization wants to get to know him a little bit better. We will eventually get him in an interview slot and move forward.”
Prior to the dismissals of coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the Browns averaged 21.125 points per game on offense, but were outscored by more than five points in every outing.
Once Kitchens took over the play-calling duties, the Browns showed improvement in points per game scored. The Browns averaged 23.75 points per game, up by more than 2.5 points per outing.
“He has moved the ball,” Dorsey said of Kitchens’ play-calling. “He has gotten the ball out of the quarterback’s hands quicker. I think he has put some flair and different route combinations together that help out the quarterback. Overall, he has kind of moved the bar on the offensive side of the ball.
“I think you got a really good illustration of what Freddie could do in that fourth preseason game. I have always said play calling is an art, not a true science. You have to feel the moment. I think Freddie has a good feel for that type of thing. What we would like to do is learn a little bit more about Freddie. That is why we are going to sit there and talk to him.”
Under Kitchens’ direction, rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 180 of his 263 attempts (68.4 percent) for 2,254 yards and 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions. Mayfield averaged 281.75 yards and 2.375 touchdowns per game with Kitchens calling the plays.
“A mark of a good coach is being able to create a relationship with the player, especially at that position,” Dorsey said of Kitchens’ work with Mayfield. “I think Freddie has done a wonderful job.
“It is always good to be competitive, and I think as the course of a season unfolds, the season is very long. When rookies are thrust into certain situations, and all of a sudden, they begin to show who they really are, I think that Baker has done that. I am the eternal optimist. I believe in those guys in that locker room, and I have high expectations for this team moving forward and 2019 as well.”