The Cleveland Browns have officially parted ways with coach Kevin Stefanski following six seasons at the helm. This decision makes Stefanski the fourth NFL head coach to be dismissed this season, joining the likes of Tennessee”s Brian Callahan, New York Giants” Brian Daboll, and Atlanta”s Raheem Morris.
After securing victories in their last two games, the Browns finished the season with a record of 5-12, highlighted by a narrow 20-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday. Stefanski, 43, was a two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year and ended his tenure with an overall record of 46-58. He notably guided Cleveland to playoff appearances in both 2020 and 2023, including the franchise”s first playoff victory since 1993 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In a statement released through the organization, Stefanski expressed profound gratitude, saying, “I leave with an immense sense of gratitude. A sincere “Thank You” to everyone who I have been so blessed to work for and with over these six seasons.” He specifically acknowledged his coaching staff and players for their dedication and resilience throughout the challenges they faced.
Stefanski”s departure marks the sixth head coach to be released since owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam purchased the franchise in 2012. The coaches hired under the Haslams have collectively recorded a 73-139-1 regular-season record, representing the second-worst record in the NFL during that timeframe. Notably, the Haslams opted not to conduct a complete overhaul, confirming that general manager Andrew Berry will retain his position.
Following the team”s return from Cincinnati, Stefanski met with the Haslams, who stated, “We appreciate all his hard work and dedication to our organization, but our results over the last two seasons have not been satisfactory, and we believe a change at the head coaching position is necessary.”
While Stefanski has been credited with fostering a more positive culture within a historically troubled franchise, he ultimately struggled with a recurring issue that has haunted the Browns since their return to the NFL in 1999: the quest for a franchise quarterback. Under his leadership, the team cycled through 13 starting quarterbacks, with seven of those coming in the past two seasons, the highest number in the league.
The Browns believed they had found their long-term solution in 2022 when they traded for Deshaun Watson from Houston, parting with five draft picks, including three first-round selections. However, the ramifications of this trade have significantly set back the franchise, as acknowledged by Jimmy Haslam, who mentioned that the team “took a big swing and miss” with the Watson acquisition.
During the recent season, Stefanski faced scrutiny for his management of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. After not receiving first-team snaps in practice, Sanders stepped in during the second half of a game against the Baltimore Ravens. He started the last seven games, finishing with a 3-4 record while dealing with a makeshift offensive line and missing key players.
Defensively, Cleveland excelled, ranking fourth in the league for total defense, with Myles Garrett setting a single-season record with 23 sacks. However, the offense struggled, finishing 30th overall and averaging just 16.4 points per game, the second-lowest in the NFL.
