Other than quarterback Deshaun Watson, nobody has more on the line with the Cleveland Browns this season than head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Stefanski is 26-24 in his three seasons as Cleveland’s head coach, and he endorsed the team’s controversial move for Watson last season.
According to one report, Stefanski could be gone if the Browns post another tepid season.
“After winning Coach of the Year honors for leading the Browns to an 11-5 record in 2020, Stefanski has seen his team get progressively worst in each of the last two years, with eight wins in 2021 followed by seven last season,” Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report wrote about Stefanski in an article about coaching hot seat candidates.
“If that trend doesn’t reverse in Deshaun Watson’s first full season under center, Stefanski isn’t going to be back for a [fifth] season in 2024.”
Stefanski recently told reporters at the Indianapolis combine that he won’t be surrendering play calling duties entering this 2023 campaign.
“You look at everything, you try to be as clear-eyed about it and you try to spend as much time as you can on every decision you make. So with all of our coaches, you try to spend some time and look at what is best for the organization and just with some of the moves we made, I felt like that was what was best for us,” Stefanski said.
Only time will tell how the current situation works out for the Browns and Stefanski. Obviously a lot will depend on if Watson can return to form.
The NFL world was quick to react to the report:
I like Stefanski, like him a lot in fact, but he will unfortunately begin 2023 on a fairly hot seat and I in no way expect him to survive a third straight losing season if it comes to that, regardless of contract. I hope he can get it done.
— Don Murphy (@Murph3232) March 23, 2023
In my opinion Berry isn’t even on the hot seat. If Stefanski fails I think Berry should get a shot at hiring a coach. I don’t think the Browns failures are roster related. The roster has had talent. The failures have been the team looking not ready on Sunday.
— Nick Fink (@finkn23) March 24, 2023
I just have a feeling their will be an implosion honestly, at the end of the day it is the Browns Stefanski is on the hot seat, Deshaun looked terrible last season I think mentally he will continue to struggle
Going back to them just being the Browns it’s what always happens
— The Golf Guy (@YoungAri_Gold) March 25, 2023
Always greatful for Baker. But I think his head got to big. Thought he was better than he was. But I also think Stefanski screwed him over as well. Stefanski is def on the hot seat in 2023.
— Mike D. (@MichaelDeGaeta4) March 23, 2023
You guys are something. Just sitting back watching everyone lob fan grenades at each other over each signing and non-signing. We got guys, who don’t own the team, putting Stefanski and AB on the “hot seat”. There is no middle ground. I love it. Never change #Browns Twitter. Ever.
— Casey Kinnamon (@Casey_Kinnamon) March 20, 2023
