CLEVELAND — In just eight games as the interim offensive coordinator, Freddie Kitchens impressed so much that the Cleveland Browns’ front office selected him as the franchise’s 17th full-time on-field leader Saturday.
And those who played for Kitchens over the second half of the 2018 regular season believe it was his confidence in the players that led to the kind of success that earned him the head coaching position.
“It was great working with and learning from Freddie last year,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said in a release from the team.
“He has such a creative mind. He creates mismatches and just put guys in position to take advantage of their opportunities. He puts trusts in us as players. He’s the same guy every day. I’m really excited about 2019 and the future of the Cleveland Browns.”
Kitchens, whom several teams requested interviews with only to have the Browns deny their inquiries, helped the offense increase their points per game and got solid play out of both Mayfield and seldom-used first-year running back Nick Chubb.
Under Kitchens’ direction, 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.
Chubb finished the 2018 season, one in which he saw limited time in the first seven games, with 996 yards and eight touchdowns on 192 carries. Chubb had 11 20-yard runs, four 40-yard bursts and 47 first-down conversions.
Chubb rushed for 788 of his 996 yards and five of his eight touchdowns on 140 carries under Kitchens. After the changes in the coaching staff, Chubb averaged 5.63 yards per carry and became a contributing member in the passing game as well.
“Freddie really did a great job of working with the offensive players the last half of the year,” All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio said. “He put us in the best position to succeed. He connected well with us as players. He brought energy, competitiveness and leadership. I’m really looking forward to what he can do as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.”
At 2-5-1 following a 33-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 28 and in the middle of an unprecedented midseason coaching staff upheaval following the dismissals of Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley with eight games left to play, the 2018 Browns looked to be anything but a team capable of the greatest year-to-year turnaround in franchise history.
But a 5-3 record over the second half of the season and a three-game winning streak in December secured the Browns’ greatest turnaround in team history, as they finished plus-7.5 in wins over their winless campaign in 2017.
“I believe in Freddie,” linebacker Christian Kirksey said. “I think he’s the right guy to lead this team. He’s a passionate guy and he gets it. I’m excited to see how this team excels to the top.”
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry added, “I’m excited about the opportunity that he has. I think this is the direction. We can build on all of the things that we did well last year.”