NFLPA report card could make Browns HC Kevin Stefanski's seat even hotter

NFL players have spoken, and the Browns aren't fans of head coach Kevin Stefanski.

On Wednesday, the NFL Players Association released its third annual report cards for the league's 32 teams. Among the grades that stood out most was Stefanski's C, tied with former Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson and former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus for the league's worst head coach grade. 

According to respondents, "67 percent of Browns players feel their head coach ... is efficient with their time, a rank of 29 out of 32."

"The players feel that Stefanski is moderately receptive to locker room feedback on the team's needs, ranking him 30 of 32 head coaches," the survey continued.

Stefanski fell two spots from 2024. Last season, the NFLPA report card found that 70 percent of players believed Stefanski was efficient with their time. He ranked 23rd in players' belief that he was receptive to their opinions.

The NFLPA didn't grade head coaches in its first report cards following the 2022 season.

It's easy to read between the lines and see his poor grade as an indictment of his handling of quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Despite clearly being the league's worst quarterback all season, Stefanski declined to bench him for backup Jameis Winston until Watson suffered a season-ending torn Achilles.

"I think Deshaun gives us the best chance to win," Stefanski told reporters following a 20-16 loss to the Eagles. (h/t NFL.com)

"Any decision when it comes to football is my decision," he added.

In seven starts, Watson was 137-of-216 (63.4 percent) for 1,148 yards (5.3 yards per attempt), five touchdowns and three interceptions. When accounting for sacks and rushing attempts, Watson averaged 3.96 yards per dropback. His 23.4 QBR (on a scale of 0 to 100) was the league's worst among qualifying quarterbacks, according to ESPN's QBR metric. (h/t Pro Football Reference)

The Browns had the league's worst offense, ranking last in scoring (15.2 points per game). Cleveland ended the season 3-14, its worst record since going 0-16 in 2017.

The ugly season led four-time first-team All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett to request a trade, which general manager Andrew Berry has refused to entertain.

Stefanski is entering his sixth season as Browns head coach. He was hired in 2020 and led Cleveland to the playoffs in his first season. Stefanski has two playoff appearances overall and a 40-44 career record, including 1-2 in the postseason.

Following the team's disappointing 2024, Stefanski was likely already on thin ice. With the release of the NFLPA's report card, Stefanski must make as many strides off the field as on it if he wants to see Year 7.