The Browns firing head coach Kevin Stefanski at the end of the season may not be a foregone conclusion. Rumors are also swirling that general manager Andrew Berry's job could be safe.
"The Browns will continue to discuss Kevin Stefanski’s job status throughout the weekend, and make a decision at some point after Sunday’s season finale in Cincinnati, when the Browns are either 4-13 or 5-12," Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot shared.
That information makes it sound like there's still a chance for the head coach to remain in place. Reports emerged last week that ownership had conducted a "preliminary search" on replacement candidates.
What if owner Jimmy Haslam wasn't impressed with what he saw? Sr. NFL insider Diana Russini of The Athletic posted this interesting nugget on X:
“I don’t think teams are going to be quick to fire head coaches who are already in place,” one NFL GM told me.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 3, 2026
“This could be a heavy coordinator-changing cycle. The pool of head coach candidates just isn’t strong.”
More of what I’m hearing: https://t.co/umvZZLtpZF
MORE: Is Kevin Stefanski out? Myles Garrett's viral comments on Browns coaching staff fuel firing rumors
Could a lack of quality options be a reason to keep Stefanski for a seventh season? Russini also mentioned that a coaching change doesn't mean the GM will follow. She's hearing that Andrew Berry would actually be brought back. (The Athletic)
It might not seem fair that Stefanski becomes the fall guy after being saddled with horrible quarterback situations over the years by the front office. That includes being forced to start two rookies after trading veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.
The whole regime has always been tied together, making all decisions 'collaboratively'.
Shouldn't Berry then be put in the unemployment line as well? 92.3 The FAN Browns analyst Daryl Ruiter thinks so:
Not a fan of selective accountability. If you spend 5 years saying a coach & GM are tied together they should be in year 6 as well. Andrew Berry is just as much to blame for the product on the field the last 2 years. He’s also to blame for the worst trade and contract in history.
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) January 3, 2026
It will be fascinating to see what Jimmy Haslam decides after Sunday's game. Could ending the season on a two-game winning streak sway ownership's decision on whether to run this whole regime back in 2026?
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