Kevin Stefanski Update Emerges Amid Bill Belichick Report

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Dec 20, 2025 1:04 PM ET

After a rough outing against the Chicago Bears in Week 15, the Cleveland Browns sit 3-11 and remain last in the AFC North. It marked Cleveland’s third straight loss and was the latest disappointing performance for a team that has already been eliminated from playoff contention with three games remaining on the schedule.

The Browns’ on-field struggles this season have put head coach Kevin Stefanski under intense scrutiny, particularly for how Cleveland’s quarterback situation unraveled. After Deshaun Watson underwent a second Achilles surgery and was ruled out for the entire season, Cleveland turned to a mix of options with veteran Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders all starting games.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Amid the dismal record and chaotic QB carousel, there has been growing speculation about Stefanski’s future and whether he will remain the Browns head coach beyond the 2025 season. However, a new update emerged Saturday from NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

According to the report, the Browns front office remains undecided about Stefanski remaining in Cleveland after this season.

“No decisions have been made on the future of Kevin Stefanski,” the report read. “The hard reality is the Browns are 6-25 over the past two seasons, putting everything up for evaluation.”

No final decision has been made on HC Kevin Stefanski’s future with the Browns, per @RapSheet and @TomPelissero.

If Jimmy Haslam decides to move on, they mention that Stefanski would be a top candidate on the market. pic.twitter.com/uftZbBQ9EQ
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) December 20, 2025

This coaching speculation comes amid rumors linking Bill Belichick to the Browns head coaching job. Former ESPN reporter Josina Anderson indicated there has been at least exploratory interest from two teams in talking with Belichick. She also posted that the 73-year-old “has upper-level personnel still fond of him” in Cleveland, a franchise he coached for five seasons.

ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo also noted the chatter suggests Stefanski may not be “as safe as some think.”

However, any potential Belichick return to the NFL appears unlikely in the short term. The six-time Super Bowl-winning coach is under contract as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, a deal worth $10 million annually with a buyout clause.

In the meantime, Stefanski and the Browns will aim to finish the 2025 season on a high note, starting Sunday against the Buffalo Bills (10-4). The game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on CBS and will offer Stefanski one more chance to show progress with his young roster before the offseason evaluation begins.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: