Have Browns made decision on HC Kevin Stefanski's future?

The Cleveland Browns have been eliminated from the playoffs for the second consecutive season, and they are now evaluating whether they believe a coaching change would help the franchise. It sounds like they may be leaning a certain way.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported on Saturday that the Browns are "leaning toward" firing head coach Kevin Stefanski. There has also been talk of Cleveland potentially moving on from general manager Andrew Berry, but Russini says Berry is likely to keep his job largely because of the recent success he has had in the NFL Draft.

According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is committed to waiting until after the season to make any decisions about Stefanski and Berry. That means how the team performs in Sunday's regular-season finale against the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals could potentially help determine Stefanski's fate.

Kevin Stefanski would be a popular candidate

Stefanski is in his sixth season as the head coach in Cleveland. He led the team to the playoffs in his first season in 2020 and again in 2023. Stefanski was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year both seasons, so Haslam and company have seen what the 43-year-old can accomplish under the right circumstances.

The Browns are 4-12 this season. They have been unable to solve their quarterback issue during Stefanski's tenure, though that is not his fault. Cleveland's decision to trade for Deshaun Watson turned out to be a disaster. The team also drafted two quarterbacks this year in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, but it remains to be seen if either player will prove to be viable NFL starter.

Stefanski has an overall record of 44-56 in Cleveland. The last two seasons have not gone well for him, but most people believe he would land another job fairly quickly if the Browns were to fire him. There is one team in particular that might be hoping to hire Stefanski should he become available.