The tumultuous six-year tenure of Kevin Stefanski as head coach of the Cleveland Browns is over. The team announced his firing Monday, January 5, 2026. This significant decision was made after the Browns concluded the 2025 season with a disappointing 5-12 record. Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam acknowledged the difficulty of the choice. However, they stressed that the 8-26 combined record over the last two years was simply “not satisfactory.”
A Culture Changer’s Crushing Decline
Stefanski, a two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year winner, departs with a complicated legacy. He brought genuine stability to the franchise for the first time in decades. He led the Browns to two playoff appearances (2020 and 2023). That 2020 team secured the Browns’ first playoff win since 1994.
Ultimately, the results could not be sustained. The offense, his supposed area of expertise, collapsed. Stefanski now joins the growing NFL coaching carousel as the fourth head coach fired this season.
The Quarterback Mess Becomes the Tipping Point
The organizational failure traces directly back to the quarterback position. Stefanski coached a staggering 13 different starting quarterbacks in six seasons. The team used seven starters in the last two years alone.
The 2022 acquisition of Deshaun Watson proved to be a catastrophic mistake. Owner Jimmy Haslam publicly called the fully guaranteed contract a “big swing and miss.” The Watson contract now saddles the franchise with a dead cap value of roughly $131 million in 2026. Watson’s $80.7 million cap hit for the next season severely limits the incoming coach. The next head coach will immediately face immense financial constraints.
#Browns Jimmy Haslam’s opening remarks on firing Kevin Stefanski: pic.twitter.com/RuBU8U5gyG
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 5, 2026
Offensive Turmoil and Internal Drama
The team’s offensive stagnation was a systemic failure. The unit finished 31st in the NFL in both scoring and total yards in 2025. This was despite the team’s defense being a legitimate powerhouse.
The internal dissension was also undeniable. All-Pro guard Wyatt Teller’s wife, Carly Teller, posted a cryptic message on social media following the firing. She wrote: “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.” This indicates deep frustration with Stefanski’s decision-making and personnel management.
Furthermore, Stefanski’s frequent changes in offensive coordinator proved destabilizing. He relinquished play-calling duties twice mid-season, a key sign of organizational confusion.
The Power Shift: DePodesta’s Departure
Stefanski’s firing followed another major front office exit. Paul DePodesta, the team’s Chief Strategy Officer, left in November 2025. DePodesta was the analytic guru who championed Stefanski’s initial hiring in 2020. His departure effectively removed the primary organizational advocate for the head coach. This move paved the way for the Haslams to finally make a change.
What’s Next: Andrew Berry and the Draft
General Manager Andrew Berry will remain to lead the upcoming coaching search. Berry admitted his share of the failure. He noted the “collective underperformance” was something he must “own.” The team is now committed to building around a strong defensive core.
Defensive end Myles Garrett set the league’s single-season sack record with 23. (See: Link to YouTube highlight of Myles Garrett’s 2025 season). The new coach will inherit the daunting Watson contract dilemma. However, they will also have the advantage of the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The path forward for the Dawg Pound remains challenging. This firing marks the start of yet another new era.
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