The Cleveland Browns have been grappling with quarterback instability ever since Baker Mayfield departed the organization after the 2021 NFL season. Despite achieving at least one significant milestone during this period, the team’s persistent failure to secure a consistent signal-caller in the sport’s most crucial position likely contributed to head coach Kevin Stefanski’s dismissal.
Reports from Ian Rapoport on Monday indicated that the Browns had terminated Stefanski’s contract. This action followed a dismal 2025 campaign where the team finished with a 5-12 record, ranking among the league’s worst performances.
The organization officially confirmed the decision in an announcement, expressing gratitude to Stefanski for his “diligence and commitment.” Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam stated that general manager Andrew Berry would retain his position and would now focus on identifying a new head coach capable of overseeing the “development of a roster poised for sustained achievement.”
The 2025 season was always anticipated as a period of transition for the Browns. While their defensive unit was projected to be formidable, the offense entered the season without a clear solution at quarterback. Training camp commenced with a quartet of quarterbacks: 40-year-old Joe Flacco, former Pittsburgh Steelers draft bust Kenny Pickett, and rookie prospects Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Pickett was moved before the regular season commenced, making Flacco the de facto choice to begin the year as the starting quarterback. His initial tenure was unfavorable. Operating with an uninspiring supporting cast, Flacco threw two touchdowns against six interceptions in four appearances before being traded to the division rival Cincinnati Bengals. Curiously, he appeared to regain his form with his new squad, delivering multiple touchdown passes in his first four games there.
With Flacco’s tenure lasting only four games, the Browns’ focus clearly shifted toward future development. Gabriel was then elevated to the starting position, but his performances did not particularly impress. Despite Gabriel’s struggles, Stefanski appeared reluctant to hand the reins over to the highly touted Sanders, who was eager to demonstrate his capabilities following a surprisingly steep drop in the NFL Draft that April.
Ultimately, a concussion sustained by Gabriel paved the way for Sanders to assume the primary quarterback role. The rookie displayed flashes of potential at the helm—including a notable three-touchdown outing against the Tennessee Titans—yet he struggled to convert these individual highlights into team victories. With the season’s fate effectively sealed, the determination was made that Stefanski’s time had concluded.
While the conclusion of Stefanski’s tenure was disheartening, its inception was far from it. Stefanski immediately demonstrated promise upon taking over the Browns, guiding the team to an 11-5 record in his inaugural season. The subsequent two seasons saw the Browns underperform, largely due to an injury to Mayfield and a contentious trade for Deshaun Watson, but Stefanski still managed a respectable 26-24 record across his first three years.
Watson’s performance in 2023 was again underwhelming, but an injury created an opportunity for Flacco to ignite an unexpected surge. The then-38-year-old veteran posted a 4-1 record over the final stretch, revitalizing his career and propelling the Browns into the playoffs with an 11-6 finish. This resurgence proved short-lived, as the team suffered a decisive 45-14 defeat to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round.
From that point forward, the team’s inability to secure a productive quarterback severely hampered the offense. The Browns managed only a 3-14 record in 2024. Watson once more faltered before suffering a torn Achilles, compelling the Browns to rotate through Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Bailey Zappe as starters during the latter part of the season.
Watson spent the entirety of the 2025 season rehabilitating from that injury, though it is improbable his presence would have preserved Stefanski’s position had he been active. The acquisition of Watson has proven to be one of the most detrimental trades in NFL history, considering his statistics and contract since joining the franchise. The Browns undertook a substantial gamble in acquiring Watson—who was effectively benched by the Texans in 2021 after facing allegations of sexual misconduct from multiple women. Following the trade, the Browns then extended Watson a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. His contributions to the team include 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions across 19 games, a stark contrast to his output with the Texans, where he earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections after an exceptional rookie year.
The ongoing saga surrounding Watson would have been sufficient grounds for most coaches to eventually be dismissed. And while Stefanski may not have made the initial decision to bring Watson aboard, the coach remained loyal to Watson even after it became evident that he was no longer the same caliber of player. The front office did not exactly provide Stefanski with superior alternatives once Watson’s performance declined, burdening the coach with career backups and journeymen. Had it not been for Flacco’s improbable comeback season in 2023, Stefanski might have found himself without a job much sooner.
Despite the team’s struggles over the past two years, Stefanski departs the organization as one of the more successful Browns coaches in recent memory. His .440 winning percentage stands as the highest for any Browns coach with at least 10 games coached since Bill Belichick achieved a .450 winning percentage over 80 games. Belichick’s final game with the franchise took place in 1995.
Considering his prior success as an offensive coordinator, and his relatively good track record with the Browns despite facing challenging circumstances, Stefanski may be considered for another head-coaching position this offseason. Should that opportunity not materialize, Stefanski is almost certainly destined to be hired as an offensive coordinator.
Stefanski was certainly not without fault for the Browns’ difficulties, especially towards the conclusion of his tenure. However, guiding Cleveland to two playoff appearances over six seasons demonstrates a clear level of competence.
Regarding the Browns themselves, the team faces several crucial decisions ahead. Cleveland must not only select the appropriate coach to restore the team’s prominence, but that coach will also need to determine whether Gabriel or Sanders is the long-term answer at quarterback.
Should neither prove to be the solution, the Browns might find themselves exploring yet another quarterback option to kick off the 2026 season.
Further developments are anticipated for this report.
