Before the Browns get to the very important task of figuring out whether they will keep Shedeur Sanders as their quarterback, before they decide how they’ll replenish an offensive line in need of an overhaul, before they reload the wide receivers room, the first order of business will have to be made at the top. That’s head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Stefanski is wrapping up his sixth season, and now has a record of 44-56 with the Browns. He has twice been named the Coach of the Year, a pretty remarkable feat for a guy who has only been in place six seasons, but it’s what has happened in those season when Cleveland wasn’t touched with good fortune that has Browns fans eager to see him gone, and many media members speculating that they will get their wish.
The Browns were 3-14 last season and have only just improved on that this year, at 4-12. Generally, seven wins in a coach’s two most recent seasons trumps two Coach of the Years, so the prevailing wisdom is that Stefanski will be coaching his last game on Sunday in Cincinnati.
Browns Job Is a ‘Privilege’
That’s not certain, though, and we’ve seen owner Jimmy Haslam have more patience with Stefanski than most. Stefanski is considered a good coach in NFL circles, and could well get another top NFL job if he does part ways with the Browns. With that in mind, Stefanski was asked if he wants to come back to Cleveland next year.
He made clear that coaching the Browns is a “privilege.”
“You can imagine, my sole focus is on this game versus Cincinnati, but I also would tell you I’m privileged to have this job,” Stefanski said.
Kevin Stefanski Could Land Elsewhere
If Stefanski does go, he could find himself a candidate for other openings. Already, the Titans and Giants have jobs open and will be looking for leadership, and there are a handful of other jobs that could come open in the next 10 days, the Raiders, Dolphins and Cardinals chief among them.
But Stefanski is still the Browns coach and a win over the Bengals would push him to five wins, and put the Browns on a two-game winning streak. That’s not enough going to change Haslam’s mind if he’s decided to fire Stefanski, but it would be a point in his favor if the decision is a close one.
Still, Stefanski was not getting too deep into the topic.
“I understand the question,” he said. “I never get into those types of discussions. All I care about is finding a way to go 1-0 versus the Bengals.”
GettyJimmy Haslam, team owner of the Cleveland Browns.
Kevin Stefanski Happy Browns Stuck Together This Year
One thing Stefanski does say he appreciates about these Browns is the way they’ve stuck together despite the rough year.
“We have a bunch of good teammates on this team, and sometimes you gotta pick your teammates up off the ground,” Stefanski said. “Sometimes you gotta push your teams – you gotta be there in a bunch of different ways to get the best out of each other. That includes supporting your teammates when you’re going through something. And sometimes that’s on the field, sometimes it’s off the field, but you gotta be there for your teammates.”
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