Browns Begin Search for New Head Coach as Kevin Stefanski Era Ends

The Cleveland Browns are embarking on a search for a new head coach following the dismissal of Kevin Stefanski after six seasons at the helm. The news broke on “Black Monday,” the day after the NFL regular season concluded, sending ripples through the organization. Stefanski, a two-time Coach of the Year who led the Browns to two playoff appearances during his tenure and compiled a 45-56 record over 101 games, now finds himself in the job market alongside coaches from other teams who faced similar fates. However, his unemployment may not last long, as ESPN reports that the New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, and Tennessee Titans are already expressing interest in bringing him in for interviews regarding their head coaching vacancies.

Rookie quarterback Desmond “Shedeur” Sanders, who was thrust into the starting role for the final seven games of Cleveland’s disappointing 5-12 season, offered a measured response when asked about Stefanski’s firing. “We just found out a couple seconds ago,” Sanders told reporters. “I think it’s just overall the mentality, things are gonna happen, that’s just how the league is. And moving forward, just focus on what we can improve on individually for the next head coach.” Despite the generic nature of his comments, Sanders did mention that he and Stefanski had “grew to understand each other” as the season progressed, sharing different perspectives and experiences throughout their brief time working together. This professional relationship developed against a backdrop of public scrutiny and speculation about whether Stefanski was giving Sanders a fair opportunity.

Sanders’ rookie journey was anything but conventional. Once considered a potential first-round draft pick, he surprisingly fell to the fifth round where the Browns selected him. Throughout training camp and into the regular season, many observers believed the Browns weren’t giving Sanders a fair shot at earning the starting quarterback position, with criticism often directed at Stefanski. The coaching staff initially committed to veteran Joe Flacco as the starter, with third-round pick Dillon Gabriel designated as the primary backup. Only after Gabriel went 1-5 as a starter and suffered a concussion did Sanders get his opportunity, finishing with a 3-4 record while throwing for exactly 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns against ten interceptions and completing 56.6% of his passes. His final appearance helped the Browns secure a season-ending 20-18 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Reflecting on his first NFL season, Sanders maintained a positive outlook while acknowledging the team’s struggles. “I think I did what I was able to do and I definitely grew from a lot of things,” he said. “I wish we all played as a team, and I wish we could have done more personally within this last year.” The sentiment highlights the frustration that permeated the Browns’ locker room during a season that fell well short of expectations, particularly after the team had made the playoffs the previous year under Stefanski’s guidance. The disappointing campaign ultimately cost Stefanski his job, though his track record of success suggests he may quickly find another opportunity elsewhere in the league.

As for the Browns’ quarterback situation moving forward, the organization is keeping its options open. General Manager Andrew Berry indicated that controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson, who remains under contract, is expected to be with the team heading into the 2026 campaign. However, team owner Jimmy Haslam was more circumspect, stating, “I’m not going to get into specifics. We have a lot of work to do on the roster, particularly on the offensive side.” This suggests that neither Sanders nor any other quarterback on the roster is guaranteed a starting role next season, as the team wants to hire its next head coach first and allow that person to have input on the direction of the offense and the quarterback position.

The Browns’ decision to part ways with Stefanski marks the beginning of yet another rebuilding period for a franchise that has struggled to find stability since its return to Cleveland in 1999. While Stefanski provided some of the most successful moments in the team’s recent history, including their first playoff win since 1994, the organization clearly felt a change was necessary after this season’s disappointment. As the coaching search begins and players head into an uncertain offseason, Browns fans are left wondering what direction the team will take next, and whether Sanders or another quarterback will be the one to lead them back to contention in the highly competitive AFC North division. The only certainty is that change is coming to Cleveland once again.