The Cleveland Browns have reportedly made their decision on the future of head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Cleveland had another disappointing season, and Stefanski’s name has come up as a potential candidate to be fired. Although Stefanski is regarded as a very good coach, it hasn’t worked out with Cleveland. A change in scenery for both parties is likely best.
Meanwhile, Browns insider Tony Rizzo of ESPN Cleveland reported on Friday that Cleveland will indeed be moving on from Stefanski after Week 18.
“This is gonna be Stefanski’s last game,” Rizzo said on Friday.
Stefanski signed a contract extension with the Browns in June of 2024, but the terms of the deal aren’t known. So, the Browns would have to fire Stefanski, unless the parties agree to mutually part ways.
Although Stefanski is a good coach, his tenure with the Browns hasn’t had a lot of success. Entering Week 18, he’s 44-56 as Cleveland’s head coach, while leading the team to the playoffs twice in his six-year tenure.
Browns Linked to AFC Head Coach to Replace Stefanski
If Cleveland does move on from Stefanski, the team has a replacement in mind.
ESPN NFL insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler linked the Browns to hiring Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel if Miami fires him.
“I’m hearing conflicting things on Miami. For a while, it sounded as if Mike McDaniel was a good bet to stay, but lately the winds seem to have shifted a bit on that, so we’ll see where that lands. Cleveland is a spot people are keeping an eye on, with the idea that Kevin Stefanski could be a head coach candidate elsewhere if the Browns do move on,” Graziano wrote.
Fowler, meanwhile, agreed with Graziano and linked McDaniel to the Browns.
“Stefanski might be the strongest retread candidate in the eyes of many,” Fowler added. “The Giants would be an ideal fit. And trades of any kind are never off the table in Cleveland. But it’d be tricky trying to trade a coach who’s 7-26 over the past two years. And here’s something funny: My sense is that McDaniel would be a candidate in Cleveland, should the Dolphins move on and Cleveland’s job open.”
McDaniel could also be fired, and is an offensive-minded head coach who could spark the Browns’ offense.
Stefanski Not Focusing on Future
With Stefanski’s future very much in doubt, the Browns head coach is remaining focused on Week 18.
“No,” Stefanski said on Wednesday. “The most important thing is what’s in front of us, and that’s our game Sunday down in Cincinnati. That’s all we care about.”
It’s a similar comment to the one that he made on Monday, as he said he’s just focused on Sunday and the Cincinnati Bengals.
“Yeah, as 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. … I understand the question. I never get into those types of discussions. All I care about is finding a way to go 1-0 versus the Bengals.”
The Browns are 7.5-point underdogs on the road against the Bengals on Sunday.
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