BREAKING NEWS: Cleveland Browns Part Ways With Head Coach Kevin Stefanski After Six Seasons
The Cleveland Browns fired head coach Kevin Stefanski on Monday morning, ending a six-year tenure that brought the franchise stability it had not seen in decades but ultimately succumbed to a disastrous 2025 campaign. Multiple sources confirmed the decision shortly after the team concluded a 5-12 season.
Stefanski departs Cleveland with a 45-56 record and two playoff appearances, including a victory in the 2020 postseason. He coached 101 regular-season games, marking the longest tenure for a Browns head coach since Blanton Collier roamed the sidelines from 1963 to 1970. Despite being a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, the mounting offensive struggles and roster mismanagement over the last two seasons forced ownership to make a change.
General Manager Andrew Berry to Lead New Search
While Stefanski is out, general manager Andrew Berry will remain with the organization. Team owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam released a statement confirming that Berry will stay in his role and immediately spearhead the process to find the next leader of the football team.
The Haslams emphasized their desire to find an “outstanding new head coach” capable of delivering sustainable success. This decision signals that ownership views the roster construction as salvageable, placing the blame for the recent collapse primarily on coaching and player development rather than talent acquisition.
Quarterback Instability Doomed the Season
The 2025 season was defined by chaos at the quarterback position. The Browns entered training camp with four quarterbacks, creating a crowded room that never produced a clear answer. The team traded veteran Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals and shipped Kenny Pickett to the Raiders, leaving the offense in the hands of Dillon Gabriel and rookie Shedeur Sanders.
The results were statistically poor. Sanders, who faced immense pressure as a high-profile rookie, struggled significantly in his seven starts. He threw for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions and took 23 sacks. His quarterback rating of 68.1 was the lowest among qualifying passers.
The offensive struggles became so pronounced that Stefanski handed over play-calling duties to Tommy Rees in Week 10. It was a move reminiscent of the previous season, but it failed to spark the necessary turnaround. By the end of the year, the Browns ranked in the bottom three of the league in both yards and points.
What Comes Next for Stefanski and the Browns
Despite his firing, Stefanski is expected to generate immediate interest across the league. League sources suggest he could be a candidate for head coaching vacancies with teams like the Tennessee Titans or New York Giants. His reputation as an offensive mind and his previous accolades hold weight in a coaching cycle that lacks the depth of previous years.
For Cleveland, the focus shifts to finding a coach willing to inherit a complex roster situation. The next head coach will need to determine if Sanders is the franchise quarterback of the future or if the team needs to pivot yet again at the position.
