Could Browns' Kevin Stefanski, Dolphins' Mike McDaniel swap roles in 2026?

Per Julia Stumbaugh of Bleacher Report, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said on the latest edition of the "This is Football" podcast that the Cleveland Browns have "done their preliminary research for a potential move" as it pertains to possibly parting ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski.

On Wednesday, Fowler shared that his "sense" is that current Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel "would be a candidate in Cleveland, should the Dolphins move on and Cleveland's job open." 

Are Dolphins ready to move on from Mike McDaniel?

As the 2025 Dolphins went from 1-6 to 6-7, reports suggested that team owner Stephen Ross was ready to run it back with McDaniel for another season. However, the Dolphins and general manager Chris Grier "mutually" agreed to part ways on Oct. 31. ESPN's Dan Graziano said that "the winds seem to have shifted a bit" regarding McDaniel's future in Miami. 

McDaniel failed to guide Miami to a playoff win over his first three campaigns in charge, and the Dolphins will finish this season with a losing record. It now seems as if Ross could embrace a full franchise reset that would involve a new regime running the show in 2026 following the benching of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa earlier this month.

How rest of the NFL reportedly views Kevin Stefanski

A Monday story mentioned that Stefanski and Browns owner Jimmy Haslam agreeing that a divorce would be best for everybody involved "feels imminent." Additionally, it's been said that Cleveland could view defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees as possible candidates for the head-coach role.

Fowler pointed out that "Stefanski might be the strongest retread candidate in the eyes of many." While Stefanski is about to complete a fourth losing season in five years, he is a two-time Coach of the Year Award winner.

Fowler added that a New York Giants team that has promising rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart on its roster "would be an ideal fit" for an advertised offensive guru such as Stefanski. That said, Giants ownership hasn't yet confirmed that general manager Joe Schoen will stay in his role through the winter. 

If Stefanski would want to relocate from Northeast Ohio to Miami, it sounds as if it's possible that he and McDaniel could essentially swap jobs in January.