The Cleveland Browns are set to part ways with Kevin Stefanski, per a prominent NFL insider.
The two-time NFL Coach of the Year has navigated a turbulent stretch in Cleveland, marked most notably by ongoing instability at quarterback. Stefanski headed into Week 18 on the hot seat, having won just seven games over the past two seasons.
NFL insider Jay Glazer said the Browns have already decided Stefanski’s fate and he will be looking for a job soon.
“Kevin Stefanski will be unemployed very soon here,” Glazer said on the FOX NFL pregame show.
It’s not a huge surprise, considering reports have surfaced this week that the Browns have done their research on potential candidates to replace Stefanski. Cleveland is expected to hang on to general manager Andrew Berry.
“The Cleveland Browns have done some background work to gather information on potential head-coaching options, and are leaning toward moving on from two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski,” Dianna Russini of The Athletic said. “With the success of EVP and general manager Andrew Berry’s most recent draft, he’s likely to stay, but those discussions are ongoing heading into Cleveland’s final game at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The Browns are 4-12 after finishing 3-14 in 2024.”
Kevin Stefanski Top Candidate if Fired by Browns
Stefanski may be out of a job by Monday but he’s not expected to remain unemployed for long. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said that Stefanski will be a top candidate this cycle if he’s let go.
“This obviously is a situation where we ultimately believe he’ll be out,” Schefter said. “He’ll be one of the more sought-after candidates in this head-coaching cycle if and when Cleveland moves on from him, which I expect.”
Two head coaching vacancies are already open after the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans fired their coaches midseason, with more changes possible once the year concludes. Stefanski has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the Giants’ opening.
Stefanski has declined to give any insight into his thinking on his job security.
“As you know and you guys know, this game is never going to be about one person, and that includes me,” Stefanski said.
Browns Star Myles Garrett Doesn’t Endorse Kevin Stefanski
A troubling sign for Stefanski came from the lack of endorsement from one of the Browns’ most influential voices. Myles Garrett, the face of the franchise, declined to offer a clear vote of confidence in his head coach.
“I mean, like anything, we’ve had ups and downs. Unfortunately, more downs than ups,” Garrett said leading up to the finale. “Would have loved to make a little bit more noise in some different years, especially this year with how well we’ve been playing on defense, but got to continue to grow and find ways to improve. This team has too many talented individuals not to.”
Asked directly whether he favored continuity with Stefanski over a coaching change, Garrett again stopped short of an endorsement.
“I want things to be successful,” he said. “However that looks.”
The Browns hold two first-round picks as they head into an offseason of uncertainty.
Browns Make Decision on Firing Kevin Stefanski: Report