The Cleveland Browns have fired head coach Kevin Stefanski after posting an 8-26 record over the last two seasons. The two-time Coach of the Year now hits the open market, and immediately becomes one of the biggest names to watch in this year's head coach hiring cycle.
There are no shortage of teams to watch for when it comes to hiring Stefanski. The New York Giants come to mind, as it would make sense to pair him with Jaxson Dart and the young pieces they have on offense. The Atlanta Falcons may have the same line of thinking. It's another team, though, that could fire its own head coach after just one season in favor of Stefanski.
The New York Jets were dreadful in 2025 under Aaron Glenn. The former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator led the Jets to a 3-14 record, and they became the first team to go through an entire season without recording a defensive interception. And while the Jets' lack of talent was evident, so, too, was Glenn's ability to put any resemblance of a professional product on the field. The icing on the cake was allowing Bills backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky to have maybe the best game of his career in Week 18, throwing four touchdown passes in a 35-8 route of New York.
I'd bet if you asked owner Woody Johnson and he had to be truthful, he would say he'd rather have Stefanski than Glenn. Especially if it meant that Stefanski would bring defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz with him. Even if he couldn't, though, Stefanski has a track record of success with Cleveland - he was just dealt the worst possible hand at quarterback over the last two years, and it became too much to overcome. If the Jets can get the quarterback position right, as well as land a few quality pieces with their two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, hiring the former Browns head coach could end up being the right move going forward.
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