The Cleveland Browns appear to be nearing a turning point with head coach Kevin Stefanski as another difficult season winds down.
Team insider Tony Rizzo reported Friday that the organization plans to move on after Week 18, signaling an end to a six-year run that never fully stabilized despite flashes of success.
Stefanski received a contract extension in June 2024, although its financial terms were never disclosed, meaning Cleveland would need to dismiss him unless both sides agree to part ways.
Results have fueled the uncertainty. Entering the final week, Stefanski owns a 44-56 regular-season record and has reached the playoffs twice. Those highs contrast sharply with recent struggles.
Over the past two seasons, Cleveland has gone 7-26, eroding confidence even among those who view Stefanski as a capable leader. The Browns travel to Cincinnati as 7.5-point underdogs for what could be his final game in charge, yet the coach has publicly avoided addressing his status.
“No,” Stefanski said. “The most important thing is what’s in front of us, and that’s our game Sunday down in Cincinnati. That’s all we care about.”
Behind the scenes, league chatter has intensified. ESPN insiders have floated Miami’s Mike McDaniel as a possible successor if he becomes available, while Stefanski himself is drawing attention from elsewhere.
The New York Giants have quietly emerged as a potential landing spot, adding another layer to Cleveland’s decision-making.
Giants interest adds pressure as Browns weigh next move
The Giants’ connection introduces risk for Cleveland. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan labeled Stefanski a serious option if New York’s job opens, underscoring how his résumé still carries weight around the league.
Early in his tenure, the Browns posted two double-digit win seasons and earned playoff berths, finishing 1-2 in postseason play.
Those achievements are now being reevaluated in light of roster decisions that derailed momentum, most notably the fully guaranteed deal for quarterback Deshaun Watson following a costly trade with the Houston Texans.
Stefanski has absorbed some criticism, though the broader collapse cannot be pinned solely on coaching.
Cleveland’s young core remains promising, featuring Quinshon Judkins, Carson Schwesinger, Mason Graham, Harold Fannin Jr., and Shedeur Sanders, alongside elite pass rusher Myles Garrett.
Losing a coach who could develop that group carries consequences, especially in a hiring cycle short on marquee alternatives.
At the same time, Cleveland has been linked to McDaniel, an offensive-minded head coach whose future in Miami is uncertain. ESPN’s Dan Graziano noted shifting sentiment around McDaniel’s job security, while Jeremy Fowler suggested Cleveland would monitor that situation closely.
For the Browns, the calculus is delicate. Moving on risks strengthening a rival like New York. Standing pat risks another year of stagnation.