Browns' Kevin Stefanski addresses outside noise amid job security rumors

It's believed that either Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski or Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins could be fired, depending on the outcome of Sunday's game between the pair of 1-5 clubs at Cleveland's Huntington Bank Field.

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Stefanski addressed the outside noise that's hovering over his job security.

Kevin Stefanski ignoring talk about his uncertain future

"I don't listen to it," Stefanski said about chatter regarding his future, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. "It's probably the easiest way. I grew up in (Philadelphia). I was a longtime listener of (sports radio station) 610 WIP. So I understand the media role, and I understand that, for our fans, that's an important part of our interest in this game. But I also know in my chair that I'm currently sitting in that you can't listen to that type of stuff."

Stefanski earned NFL Coach of the Year Award honors for the second time during his Cleveland tenure when he guided the 2023 Browns to a playoff berth. Since then, however, Cleveland has gone 4-19. Per ESPN stats, the Browns ended Week 6 ranked last in the league with an average of 13.7 points scored per game.

Will Dillon Gabriel have breakout performance in official home debut?

Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel flipping a figurative switch after he made the first two regular-season starts of his career at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and at the Pittsburgh Steelers' Acrisure Stadium could help silence talk about the Browns possibly showing Stefanski the door. Gabriel took six sacks and 16 hits after throws in Cleveland's 23-9 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 6. 

On Wednesday, Stefanski noted that Gabriel shouldn't have to rely on the silent count against the Dolphins. 

"So, operationally different than a road environment, but no different than any young player to just build on the things that you're doing well, and our job as coaches is identify some of the things that we can help them with," Stefanski added about Gabriel. "But incremental improvements from our young players is what's most important."

That's a nice thought, but winning is likely what's "most important" as it pertains to Stefanski holding onto his job.