In a bold move aimed at revitalizing their struggling special teams, the Cleveland Browns have appointed Byron Storer as their new special teams coordinator. This transition comes after the team experienced one of the NFL's least effective special teams units last season. At the same time, the franchise has decided to retain Duce Staley, who has been instrumental in coaching the running backs and fostering one of the most successful offensive groups in recent memory.
Byron Storer steps into the role previously held by Bubba Ventrone, who has taken on a new challenge as the special teams coordinator for the Rams after spending three seasons with the Browns. The hope is that Storer can bring fresh strategies and improvements to a special teams unit that was costly for the Browns last year. In 2025 alone, they allowed three return touchdowns, including a shocking sequence where both a kickoff and a punt return touchdown occurred within just 36 seconds during a Week 10 defeat against the Jets. At one point, the Browns’ special teams were rated as the sixth worst in NFL history according to DVOA metrics.
Storer, who is 41 years old, brings a wealth of experience to the role. He spent the last three seasons working as an assistant special teams coach with the Green Bay Packers under Rich Bisaccia, a tenure that saw the Packers achieve their best kickoff return statistics on record. Prior to that, he served in a similar capacity with the Las Vegas Raiders between 2018 and 2021. His coaching journey began after a three-year playing career as a fullback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he also initially took on an assistant special teams role. Throughout his coaching career, Storer has worked with notable players like punter A.J. Cole and kicker Daniel Carlson, contributing to their development and success.
Storer will be tasked with improving the performance of several young players, including kicker Andre Szmyt, who faced challenges early in the season but managed to recover well by successfully converting 23 out of 25 field goals and all 24 PAT attempts in the latter half of the season. Meanwhile, Browns punter Corey Bojorquez has shown consistency over his four seasons with the team, though he is now slated to become a free agent.
With a focus on enhancing the coverage units and establishing reliability in the return game, Storer's appointment comes at a critical time for the Browns as they seek to reconstruct their special teams and improve their overall competitiveness in the league.
As the Browns make these strategic changes, the question remains: Can these new hires lead to a turnaround for a team that has struggled to find its footing in recent years? What are your thoughts on the Browns' decision to bring in Storer and retain Staley? Share your opinions and let’s discuss!
