The stability that Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam had seemingly established with his coaching staff is now fracturing after their disastrous season. As the team goes through the end of the 2025 campaign with a 3-10 record and the possibility of another 3-14 finish, the future of Kevin Stefanski is on the line, creating an intense debate within the organization and among the team’s fanbase.
Reporting this uncertainty is Browns insider Tony Rizzo, who said on Friday that Haslam and the front office are actively considering the decision to retain both Stefanski and General Manager Andrew Berry for the 2026 NFL season.
According to my sources, the Browns are still deciding the future and fate of their coach and GM. If you think right now the Browns have a plan, they don’t.
The heavy weight of instability
Stefanski is in his sixth year with the AFC North team, a long tenure that includes two winning seasons (11-5 in 2020 and 11-6 in 2023) and two Coach of the Year awards. Yet, his overall record stands at 43-54, something not acceptable and that is forcing Haslam to reconsider the direction of the franchise, whether reports suggest otherwise.
Instability has been the main issue this season, particularly at the most critical position of the game, quarterback. The team started with Joe Flacco at the wheel, but due to injuries, they pivoted to Dillon Gabriel and finally to Shedeur Sanders. These constant changes and the consequence lack of offensive identity have overshadowed their good defense, proving that even with a talented roster, being clear in those positions is the ultimate factor of success in the NFL.
A conclave to debate the future of the franchise
Rizzo’s report also suggests that the front office is intensely debating what is best for business, with strong arguments supporting both a regime change and keeping the current one, with its status quo. The fact that ownership is being so silent about the process, according to Rizzo, implies a significant internal division on the matter.
Here is what I was told: they’ve not made up their mind yet. My recommendation is, they’re probably leaning one way. If you’re leaning one way, go that way and let’s be done with it
As Sportskeeda noted, Stefanski might even welcome a departure, suggesting the continuous second-guessing and constant “circus” atmosphere in Cleveland could be exhausting for a coach generally respected around the league.
A coaching change is often an owner’s response to fan pressure, so it could be the clearest path for Haslam to please a notably frustrated fanbase. However, many in football circles believe Stefanski is still a good coach for the team, someone who would immediately find other teams if let go.
If you’re Kevin, and you are making all of these decisions for football reasons, and you have made a lot of other decisions over the years for football reasons and they’re constantly second-guessed and everything turns into a circus, would you be sick of it
Jimmy Haslam has a simple dilemma to battle in front of him. He can cut loose with a coach whose relationship with the franchise has deteriorated but who has also delivered success in the past, or demonstrate unconditional commitment to a process that has repeatedly stalled out.
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