The Cleveland Browns picked up a much-needed win on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins — and it felt good because of the way they did it. Cleveland didn’t just outlast the Dolphins by a couple of points; they dominated defensively on their way to a 31-6 victory.
Again, Cleveland needed this win — their second of the season. That can’t be stressed enough. The Browns are now 2-5, a year after finishing 3-14 with the No. 2 overall pick. The pressure is on for this team to show improvement, and they did on Sunday — but it has to continue. There’s little doubt, however, that the locker room still stands behind head coach Kevin Stefanski, which should come as no surprise.
“I think that was just frustration boiling over, but he was intense and laid out expectations, especially for us on offense,” Bitonio said of Stefanski’s approach after last Monday’s meeting. “I think the guys answered the bell. I’ve never lost faith in him (Head Coach Kevin Stefanski) since I’ve been here. I think this is my sixth year with him now, and when things get tough, he makes a stand and puts us in the best position possible.”
#Browns Joel Bitonio said Kevin Stefanski brought intensity Monday as they prepared for Miami going into the game 1-5.
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) October 19, 2025
"I think it was just frustration boiling over, but he was intense and laid out expectations for us especially on offense and I think the guys answered the bell" pic.twitter.com/IfcciajC6T
There have been plenty of calls for Stefanski’s job this season amidst the team’s offensive struggles. As the play-caller, he shoulders most of the blame for Cleveland’s lack of production. However, the Browns forced four turnovers between defense and special teams on Sunday, which helped the offense find some extra opportunity. Cleveland also reached the 20-point mark for the first time this season. Still, they’re averaging just 16.1 points per game — ranking 30th in the league in scoring.
The 2025 season was always going to be challenging for the Browns, who are in the midst of a small rebuild. The progress of rookies like Quinshon Judkins, Carson Schwesinger, and Mason Graham has to have the team encouraged. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel hasn’t turned the ball over in three games and is playing solid, mistake-free football for a team that has bigger issues on offense than under center.
Bitonio’s comments serve as proof that the locker room isn’t lost. Cleveland went through a tough stretch over the past month and badly needed to take care of business against a struggling Dolphins team. More losses are likely coming this season, but this group continues to fight — and that speaks to where Stefanski has this team’s mindset.
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