AP Photos/Seth Wenig
The Cleveland Browns have once again reset their leadership structure, moving on from head coach Kevin Stefanski after six seasons marked by early promise and a sharp late decline. Despite flashes of stability and two playoff appearances, consecutive losing seasons and persistent offensive struggles ultimately led ownership to conclude that a change was necessary. With Stefanski out and general manager Andrew Berry retained, Cleveland now enters another pivotal offseason searching for answers at the top while attempting to preserve the foundation already in place.
A Tenure Defined by Peaks and Valleys
Stefanski arrived in Cleveland in 2020 and quickly delivered results that had eluded the franchise for decades. He guided the Browns to the playoffs in his first season and earned NFL Coach of the Year honors after leading Cleveland to its first postseason win since 1994. Another playoff berth followed in 2023, again resulting in Coach of the Year recognition as Stefanski navigated a season derailed by injuries and constant quarterback turnover.
Those highs, however, were offset by inconsistency. Stefanski finished his Cleveland tenure with a 45–56 regular-season record and four losing seasons. Over the past two years, the Browns went a combined 8–26, including a 5–12 finish in 2025 that marked a second straight last-place showing in the AFC North. That sustained downturn overshadowed his earlier success and accelerated the organization’s decision to move on.
Offensive Decline and Quarterback Instability
Much of Stefanski’s reputation was built on his offensive acumen, making Cleveland’s recent struggles on that side of the ball particularly damaging. The Browns scored fewer than 20 points in 11 games this season, tied for the most in the league, and finished near the bottom in both yards and scoring. Stefanski relinquished play-calling duties for the second consecutive year, handing control to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees midway through the season.
Quarterback instability further complicated matters. Cleveland cycled through Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, while Deshaun Watson remained sidelined after tearing his Achilles tendon for a second time. Watson’s fully guaranteed contract continues to loom over the franchise, with a league-high cap hit set for 2026 and limited on-field production since his arrival.
Why Andrew Berry Remains
While the head coach was dismissed, the Browns chose continuity in the front office by retaining Andrew Berry as general manager. Ownership emphasized its belief in Berry’s long-term vision and tasked him with leading the search for the franchise’s next head coach. Berry acknowledged the collective underperformance of the organization while stressing that Stefanski had provided professionalism and stability during turbulent stretches.
Cleveland’s leadership views the current roster as a starting point rather than a teardown. The Browns finished 2025 ranked fourth in total defense, anchored by Myles Garrett, who set a single-season sack record. The team also saw encouraging development from its rookie class, providing optimism that the right coaching hire could unlock more consistent results.
What Comes Next for Cleveland
Stefanski’s departure makes him the 11th head coach fired by the Browns since their return to the league in 1999, underscoring the franchise’s ongoing struggle for sustained stability. League sources expect Stefanski to draw interest quickly in the current coaching cycle, potentially landing another head-coaching role as soon as this offseason.
For Cleveland, the focus shifts to finding a leader capable of developing a young offense, stabilizing the quarterback position, and maximizing a defense already performing at an elite level. Armed with multiple first-round picks and financial decisions that will shape the roster’s future, the Browns once again face a defining crossroads—one that will determine whether this reset finally leads to the long-term success the franchise and its fans continue to seek.
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