Browns Dismiss Head Coach Stefanski After Six Seasons

Cleveland Browns have officially dismissed head coach Kevin Stefanski after a six-year tenure. The decision follows a disappointing 5-12 season, marking another last-place finish in the AFC North. This outcome has been particularly troubling as it was the Browns’ fourth losing season during Stefanski’s time, with a combined record of 8-26 over the past two years.

Stefanski’s Coaching Journey

Stefanski led the Browns to two playoff appearances during his tenure. His first significant achievement came in 2020 when he was awarded the NFL Coach of the Year after guiding Cleveland to its first postseason victory since 1994. That victory occurred against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round, though Stefanski was unable to coach due to a COVID-19 positive test.

He won a second Coach of the Year award in 2023 despite facing numerous challenges, including a slew of player injuries that led to the use of five different quarterbacks. His overall regular-season record stands at 45-56.

Challenges Faced in Recent Seasons

In recent seasons, Cleveland’s offensive performance has been a major concern. This season, the Browns scored fewer than 20 points in 11 games, a league-high for the year. To address offensive struggles, Stefanski transferred play-calling responsibilities to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, a decision he made for the second consecutive season.

• Stefanski’s record includes:
• 4 losing seasons in 6 years.
• Two playoff appearances (2020, 2023).
• Winning percentage of .552 from 2020-2023.

Quarterback Situation

The Browns had a turbulent quarterback situation this season. They started three different quarterbacks:

• Joe Flacco: Helped the team reach the playoffs in 2023, started the first four games of 2025, then was benched and traded.
• Dillon Gabriel: A third-round pick in 2025, started six games before suffering a concussion.
• Shedeur Sanders: A fifth-round pick in 2025, started the final seven games of the season.

Deshaun Watson, acquired in a controversial trade with the Houston Texans, did not play in 2025 due to injury issues, including a torn right Achilles tendon. Watson has faced numerous challenges since joining Cleveland, playing only 19 games, with a Total QBR of 33.1.

What’s Next for the Browns

With Stefanski no longer at the helm, the Cleveland Browns are set to search for their 11th head coach since 1999. This marks a pivotal moment for the franchise as it seeks to rebuild and improve going forward. The Browns also recently experienced another high-profile departure, with Paul DePodesta leaving his role as chief strategy officer to join the Colorado Rockies.

The organization aims to rectify its offensive struggles and bring success back to the team, which has not reached the playoffs in consecutive years since Stefanski’s early successes.