How NFL reportedly views Browns' Kevin Stefanski amid job-security whispers 

Cleveland Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand recently suggested that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam could decide to part ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski and/or general manager Andrew Berry shortly after the club's latest losing season wraps up in January. 

On Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler touched upon Stefanski's uncertain future. 

Do people around NFL think Kevin Stefanski could become available?

"Stefanski's future comes up often in my conversations with people in the league due to the Browns' 6-23 record the past two seasons," Fowler wrote. "Another reason his name comes up: Several executives and coaches I've spoken to believe he'd be a prime candidate for a head coaching job elsewhere should Cleveland move on after the season."

Fowler shared that one unnamed AFC executive pointed out that Stefanski, a two-time Coach of the Year Award winner, "might need a fresh start elsewhere." That executive also noted that Cleveland is seen as "a hard place to win." 

With Stefanski and Berry leading the charge, the Browns are on the verge of completing a fourth losing season in five years. Those two were directly involved in the Browns handing quarterback Deshaun Watson a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract to land him from the Houston Texans in March 2022 via what could go down as the worst trade in NFL history. Additionally, Cleveland may still not have a long-term franchise quarterback on its roster. 

Nevertheless, it sounds like at least a couple of teams are hoping Stefanski will become available. 

Why Kevin Stefanski wouldn't have to wait long to find his next head-coaching job

"This year's candidate pool is considered weaker than in previous years, which benefits a coach with Stefanski's credentials," Fowler continued. "If let go, Stefanski would have the option to pursue a head-coaching job right away or take a year off, which worked brilliantly for Mike Vrabel after his Tennessee departure. That typically depends on what might be open a year from now, the viability of the candidate and whether that coach is simply burned out and needs a year. But the two jobs currently open (Giants and Titans) could use a mix of offensive acumen and experience, a mold that Stefanski fits." 

The Giants are starting rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, while the Titans have No. 1 overall draft choice Cam Ward atop their depth chart. 

Of course, Stefanski's status with the Browns could change if rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders looks like the real deal over Cleveland's final five games of the season. The Sanders-led Browns (3-9) will next host the 1-11 Titans this coming Sunday.