The Cleveland Browns are among a rather lengthy list of NFL teams considering a coaching change heading into 2026, and head coach Kevin Stefanski has certainly proven a polarizing figure over six seasons with the franchise.
Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report predicted on Friday, January 2 that Cleveland will ultimately bring Stefanski back despite speculation to the opposite.
It’s easy to see why plenty of Cleveland Browns fans might also desire a fresh start in the head coaching role after another failed season, but it’s important to maintain perspective on Kevin Stefanski.
The Browns shouldn’t fall victim to “grass is greener” thinking. The defense is awesome. They have two first-round picks, one of which will be in the top 10. They have several potential long-term options at quarterback. Moving away from Stefanski right now could do a lot more harm than good.
Myles Garrett Had Chance to Throw Weight Behind Kevin Stefanski Friday, Chose Otherwise
GettyDefensive end Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns.
The decision makers at the top of the organization, in this case general manager Andrew Berry and owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, are ultimately going to weight their own opinions much more heavily when it comes to major employment decisions like firing Stefanski.
That said, the opinions of players and fans/media make some difference, particularly over extended periods of losing. Stefanski is a two-time NFL Coach of the Year winner (2020, 2023), but the Browns are 7-26 without a playoff appearance since he last won the award.
Reporters asked defensive end Myles Garrett directly on Friday whether he wants Stefanski back next year.
“I want things to be successful,” Garrett responded. “However that looks.”
Garrett added that he will share his explicit thoughts on the coaching situation should the relevant figures within Cleveland’s organization seek his opinion out.
“I mean like anything, we’ve had ups and down. Unfortunately, more downs than ups,” Garrett continued of his time with Stefanski in Cleveland. “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.”
Garrett could have gone to bat for Stefanski publicly, putting his undivided support behind the head coach. He chose not to do so — a decision which, at the very least, reflects a glimmer of Garrett’s true feelings on the topic.
Browns Fans Increasingly Split on Kevin Stefanski as Head Coach
GettyCleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
While bringing Stefanski back in 2026 could prove an unpopular call in some corners of the locker room, it will certainly upset a large swath of the Cleveland fanbase.
Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com on December 31 described the fans as “sharply divided” on Stefanski going forward, publishing opinions on both sides of the argument.
“Six years is more than enough time to evaluate Kevin Stefanski as coach. I’m completely ready to move on from him,” one fan wrote to Pluto. “We have four losing seasons and two winning seasons under his coaching.”
“Keep Stefanski. Does anybody else think so? For goodness sake, he’s kept the team together and probably found next year’s starting QB (Shedeur Sanders),” a second person responded to Pluto. “Beating the Steelers anytime, especially with another damaged team? Yeah, one more year.”
“I like Stefanski, but some of the decisions he’s made (or lack there of) tells me it’s time,” a third fan wrote to Pluto. “He’s whiffed on previous offensive coordinators and offensive line coaches. His refusal to do anything about the special teams coordinator is also a mark against him.”
Browns Expected to Make Unpopular Decision on Kevin Stefanski