Kevin Stefanski storyline debunked ahead of Browns-Dolphins game

One of the biggest storylines heading into Sunday’s matchup between the Cleveland Browns (1-5) and the Miami Dolphins (1-5) centers on speculation that either Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski or Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel could be fired on Monday — unless the game ends in a tie.

For an article published on Friday, Browns reporters Zac Jackson and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic addressed whether or not Stefanski will be coaching for his job on Oct. 19.

Have Browns owners already made Kevin Stefanski decision?

"If the Browns lose Sunday, Stefanski might get fired," Jackson wrote. "I don’t think team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam will do it." 

The Haslams signed Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry to contract extensions in June 2024 before the Browns finished last season with a 3-14 record. Nevertheless, Jimmy Haslam seemed to accept blame this past spring for Deshaun Watson's disastrous, fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract in March 2022. Haslam also indicated at that time that Stefanski and Berry could receive another "year or two" to find a long-term answer at quarterback. 

However, the Browns have gone 1-5 since. ESPN stats show that Cleveland, which benched and traded quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals, will enter the weekend ranked last in the league with an average of 13.7 points scored per game this season. Meanwhile, Flacco was sensational as he led Cincinnati to a thrilling 33-31 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. 

Will Kevin Stefanski receive a pass for Browns' 2025 season?

"Short of another complete collapse, however, it sure seems like the Haslams are giving everyone a pass on this year as they begin to sweep up the debris of the Watson debacle," Lloyd added. "I know nobody wants to hear that, but I’ve seen or heard nothing to the contrary to this point." 

As of Friday morning, ESPN BET had the Browns as 2.5-point favorites over the Dolphins. Perhaps the Haslams will have second thoughts regarding Stefanski's tenure if Cleveland suffers a humiliating home loss to a downright awful Miami team.