CLEVELAND, Ohio – In a column early this week, I presented some facts about Kevin Stefanski and then asked readers what they thought of the Browns coach.
In the first 24 hours, more than 300 emails arrived – and they keep coming in.
It’s impossible for me to go through them all. I’ve read at least 100 of them, and it’s split – about half want him to go, the others favor giving the Browns head coach a seventh year on the job.
I do believe we all are somewhat prisoners of the moment. The Browns are coming off their biggest victory of the year – 13-6 over Pittsburgh on Sunday. It also was by far the most entertaining game of this 4-12 season.
That said, here are a few of the comments. I cut down many of them because people are passionate about the question and wrote at length.
A note of appreciation: The vast majority of responses were civil and well-reasoned.
Here we go:
Enough already!
Six years is more than enough time to evaluate Kevin Stefanski as coach. I’m completely ready to move on from him … We have four losing seasons and two winning seasons under his coaching.
Kevin’s offenses have always struggled with production when it comes to scoring, especially in the red zone. I’ve seen really bad play calling throughout the game. There is poor time management from him – especially during two-minute warnings. The offense is uncreative and unimaginative … penalties on the offense regularly.
We are one of the lowest-scoring teams in the NFL during his tenure, yet he is supposed to be an offensive mind. Kevin is the head coach and it’s his responsibility to correct all of these problems. I haven’t seen one player that has been developed under Stefanski’s tutoring (no player development).
Some individuals keep repeating that he needs a quarterback that he wants, but he has had 13 different quarterbacks in six years. Lastly, Stefanski has an offensive system that he wants to run and refuses to adjust it regardless as to the players and talent he has.
Several teams in the same or similar position the Browns are in made coaching changes during this past off season such as Chicago and New England and turned it around in one season. It’s time for the Browns to do the same.
– Demetrius
Kevin Stefanski has helped Shedeur Sanders adjust to the NFL.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Am I alone?
Keep Stefanski. Does anybody else think so? For goodness sake, he’s kept the team together and probably found next year’s starting QB (Shedeur Sanders). Beating the Steelers anytime, especially with another damaged team? Yeah, one more year.
– Marty
Draft for offense
Under no circumstances should the Browns fire Stefanski. Draft offensive linemen, and great receivers. Give the head coach a chance to win. The past two drafts have been defense heavy. It shows with a No. 2 ranked defense this year. The offensive side has been neglected and mismanaged, and it shows.
– Amy
I’m not sure
I completely understand moving on from Stefanski. But, what name screams “Hire me!” The defense is playoff caliber. Give more time with Tommy Rees as offensive coordinator and Stefanski more as a head coach. The 2025 draft was promising. The players haven’t given up. If Stefanski still wants to coach here, that may be the safest route to go? Guess I don’t have a definitive answer.
– Chris
Most Browns fans want special teams coach Bubba Ventrone replaced.
John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Change is needed
The offense has no sense of creativity. The number of pre-snap penalties is crushing to watch. His philosophy of (not) kicking a field goal and going for it on fourth down – this never works. The plays always blow up. He never seems to have that (right play) call when you need 2-to-3 yards. A good coach will have (a right play) in his hip pocket.
Now Special Teams … the coach should have been fired after Week One. All Stefanski does is protect the coach with no major improvements. This unit is killing this team. We need a fresh new offensive minded coach. That’s what Stefanski is supposed to be, but we don’t have this element with his coaching.
– Mark
Players support him
I think the Browns should keep Stefanski. The players are still playing hard for him. And some of them have voiced their positive opinion of him. It appears that Shedeur and Kevin are developing a good relationship.
If they want to continue with Shedeur, I don’t think they should mess with that. It could also ruin Shedeur for his career. (FYI: I’m not a Shedeur lover or hater. I just want competent QB play, whoever it is).
The offensive coordinator Stefanski picked (Rees) is doing well. Defensive coordinator Schwartz is doing fantastic. Special teams, ugh.
A lot of the blame for the losing lands squarely on (GM) Andrew Berry’s shoulders. He did not adequately address the O line or receivers the last two years. He added primarily defensive players and the results show. This year’s draft looks awesome, but that can’t really be said for his other drafts. Seems like more misses than hits until this year.
And he traded away the two veteran QBs (Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett) this year, so did we really expect to have a great season after that? Two rookie QBs with a shaky O line and limited receivers?
Anyway, bottom line: I say keep Stefanski.
– Ruth
What is next for Browns coach Kevin Stefanski? Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Time to go
I like Stefanski, but some of the decisions he’s made (or lack there of) tells me it’s time. He’s whiffed on previous offensive coordinators and offensive line coaches. His refusal to do anything about the special teams coordinator is also a mark against him.
I don’t hold the QB fiasco against him. He didn’t draft Dillon Gabriel. He didn’t trade for Deshaun Watson or Kenny Pickett. He may have been consulted, but he didn’t pull the trigger. He also didn’t make the decision to move forward with this offensive line and wide receiver group. He’s simply the person that had to try to make it work.
One of the traits of a great leader is to surround yourself with people that can help deliver your vision. He hasn’t and there’s no indication that he can.
– Don
Three big points
He doesn’t set and enforce high standards. Bubba Vetrone is the most obvious example. Jerry Jeudy at times this season is another. His effort has varied based on his view of the QB.
He is a technician. He doesn’t seem to recognize that players respond to positive feedback on game day.
He has a bias about player ability. Shedeur Sanders being fourth on the depth chart until December is an example.
– Cal
(Terry’s note: Sanders became the No. 2 QB after October 7 when Flacco was traded to Cincinnati).
The Deshaun Watson trade of 2022 has been a major setback for the Browns. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Not all his fault
The Browns should give Stefanski another year … The team entered the year without a clear solution at quarterback, and Stefanski was put in a very challenging position. While I do believe he had the deck stacked against him, I do fault him for the Dillon Gabriel draft pick. That was a poor decision. It became evident fairly quickly that Gabriel was not an NFL-caliber quarterback. I also think Sanders should have been given an opportunity to start sooner so the team could properly evaluate him.
I place blame on Stefanski, Andrew Berry and Jimmy Haslam for the Watson trade as well. That decision—and everything that came with it—has set the organization back for years.
That said, what I appreciate about Stefanski is that the team continues to play hard. I’ve watched many Browns teams over the years quit late in the season after disappointing performances, but this team has not done that. Stefanski has brought a level of stability that has been missing for a long time, and I haven’t heard any indication that he has lost the locker room. I’m not eager to start over again with a new, young coordinator stepping into the head coaching role.
– David
I wish I knew
First, does Stefanski even want to be here or is he worn out? Lots of drama over the years.
Second, if we can’t judge our QB’s by this roster, can we judge the coach?
Third, the payroll mess with Watson still will restrict this or the next coach in 2026.
I wish I knew where he stood on the Watson deal … Where he stood on rejecting Baker Mayfield and playing him hurt (in 2021) … Why didn’t he make more changes with special teams.
If his expertise was offense he has failed. Even during the winning season I don’t remember it was because of our offense. Based on not knowing more inside the walls knowledge I think a change is in order. And with that I lack the confidence the owner and GM can get it right the next time.
– Mike
