The winds of change have swept through Cleveland once again, as the Browns have parted ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski after six rollercoaster seasons at the helm. The decision, made official on January 5, 2026, comes on the heels of a disappointing 5-12 campaign that saw the team struggle to find its footing, particularly at the ever-elusive quarterback position.
Stefanski’s tenure began with a bang back in 2020, when he led the Browns to an 11-5 record and their first playoff appearance in nearly two decades. That magical run, which included a memorable wild card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, earned Stefanski his first NFL Coach of the Year award and the adoration of Browns fans hungry for relevance. But as the years wore on, the franchise’s persistent quarterback carousel and a series of bold, sometimes ill-fated roster moves would ultimately derail the momentum he built.
The 2025 season was supposed to be a transitional year, but even the most patient of fans found their limits tested. The Browns entered training camp with a crowded quarterback room: 40-year-old journeyman Joe Flacco, former Steelers castoff Kenny Pickett, and two rookies—Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders—each vying for a shot. Pickett was traded before the regular season began, leaving Flacco as the opening day starter. But Flacco’s second act in Cleveland fizzled fast; he managed just two touchdowns against six interceptions in four games before being shipped to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Ironically, Flacco rediscovered his touch in Cincinnati, tossing multiple touchdowns in each of his first four games there.
With Flacco gone, the Browns turned to rookie Dillon Gabriel. The third-round pick showed flashes but ultimately struggled to command the offense. Stefanski, perhaps wary of rushing things, hesitated to hand the reins to the highly touted Shedeur Sanders. That changed after Gabriel suffered a concussion in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens, opening the door for Sanders to start the final seven games. Sanders’ tenure under center was a mixed bag—he electrified fans with a three-touchdown performance against the Tennessee Titans but couldn’t translate promise into consistent wins.
Despite ending the season on a two-game winning streak, including victories over the Pittsburgh Steelers and Bengals, the Browns’ 5-12 finish marked their second consecutive year with double-digit losses. The team’s 8-26 combined record over the last two seasons was simply too much for ownership to overlook. As Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam stated, “We have tremendous gratitude for Kevin’s leadership of the Cleveland Browns over the last six seasons. He is a good football coach and an even better person. We appreciate all his hard work and dedication to our organization but our results over the last two seasons have not been satisfactory, and we believe a change at the head coaching position is necessary.”
General Manager Andrew Berry, however, will remain in his role and has been tasked with finding the next leader for a team that, despite its struggles, boasts an exciting young core. The 2025 draft class provided some bright spots: linebacker Carson Schwesinger, a favorite for NFL Defensive Player of the Year; tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who emerged as the team’s leading receiver; and running back Quinshon Judkins, who led the Browns in rushing. Berry, reflecting on Stefanski’s impact, commented, “We have great respect for Kevin, who has led our organization through both unique and challenging circumstances over his six seasons. Over that time, he has been more than a coach but also a partner, friend and stabilizing force for our team.”
Quarterback instability has been the Browns’ Achilles’ heel since Baker Mayfield’s departure after the 2021 season. The infamous trade for Deshaun Watson in March 2022, which cost the Browns three first-round picks and a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, has haunted the franchise. Watson’s play has fallen far short of expectations—plagued by injuries, suspensions, and off-field controversies, he’s started just 19 games in three seasons. The 2024 season saw him tear his Achilles, and although he practiced in December 2025, he never returned to active duty. His contract looms large, with a staggering $80.7 million cap hit in 2026 and a potential $135 million dead cap charge if cut before June 1. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam didn’t mince words when he called the Watson deal a “big swing and a miss,” taking responsibility for the move that has limited the team’s flexibility and cost them precious draft capital.
Stefanski’s six-year record stands at 45-56, making him the fourth-winningest coach in franchise history behind legends Paul Brown, Blanton Collier, and Sam Rutigliano. His .446 winning percentage is the best for any Browns coach with at least 10 games since Bill Belichick’s .450 mark in the mid-1990s. Stefanski’s two playoff berths and pair of Coach of the Year honors (2020, 2023) account for two-thirds of the Browns’ postseason appearances since their 1999 expansion return. But the last two seasons wiped away much of that goodwill, as the team cycled through quarterbacks and failed to build on its defensive strengths.
The Browns’ defense, led by All-Pro Myles Garrett, has remained a bright spot. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has engineered top-five units in two of his three years, with the 2023 squad ranked No. 1 in the NFL. The team’s investment in young talent—like Schwesinger and defensive tackle Mason Graham—offers hope for the future. Yet, as veteran guard Joel Bitonio remarked, “Until that quarterback position is solved in the NFL, it is hard to win games. It is the most important position in sports.”
Stefanski himself leaves Cleveland with gratitude, stating, “After six seasons as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, I leave with an immense sense of gratitude. When I arrived in January of 2020, this organization, this community and Browns fans embraced me and my family with open arms. I cannot express properly in words how good we have been treated. A sincere ‘Thank You’ to everyone who I have been so blessed to work for and with over these six seasons. I’d like to especially thank my coaching staff and the players who did everything that was ever asked of them. They fought through injury and adversity, while always putting the TEAM FIRST. I wish all of you nothing but success.”
As the Browns turn the page, the search for a new head coach begins. The franchise faces pivotal decisions—chief among them, whether to entrust the future to Gabriel, Sanders, or to seek yet another answer at quarterback. With a promising young nucleus and a defense ready to contend, the right hire could finally unlock the potential Cleveland fans have long awaited. For now, all eyes are on Berea as the Browns chart their next chapter, still chasing the stability and success that has eluded them for far too long.
