The Cleveland Browns simply can’t find their rhythm. At first, the issue seemed to be Joe Flacco, who has since left for the Cincinnati Bengals and continues to struggle in games like the one against the New York Jets. Head coach Kevin Stefanski benched him and replaced him with Dillon Gabriel. Yet, the team remains the same, stuck in mediocrity.
This Sunday, October 26, the Browns were once again exposed, this time by the New England Patriots, who, to everyone’s surprise, have been enjoying a remarkable season that has caught both fans and analysts off guard.
How much longer will they keep Kevin Stefanski?
The Browns remain a team that occasionally pulls off a win in games where everyone expected them to be crushed, like their surprising victory over the Green Bay Packers. They can also beat weaker opponents, such as the Miami Dolphins, who are struggling even more.
However, whenever they face stronger teams, their flaws are laid bare. This game was no exception. The Patriots exposed all the weaknesses that continue to plague Cleveland on both offense and defense. Even with Myles Garrett anchoring the defense, one player alone cannot carry a team to victory.
With this latest loss, head coach Kevin Stefanski’s seat has grown even hotter. At this point, the pressure has reached extreme levels. Every defeat feels like adding another degree to the fire that threatens to burn him out completely.
But Stefanski isn’t the only one under scrutiny. General manager Andrew Berry also bears responsibility for the team’s dreadful stretch. After all, he was the architect behind this roster’s construction. At this stage, neither Stefanski nor Berry can be confident that their jobs are safe.
Jimmy Haslam’s vote of confidence, but for how long?
Under the leadership of Stefanski and Berry, the Browns hold a losing record of 42-49, marked by questionable moves, including the disastrous signing of Deshaun Watson, arguably one of the worst contracts in NFL history. The team invested $240 million in a fully guaranteed deal, only to receive little to no production in return.
Kevin’s done a really good job with us, and we’ve had some tough breaks.”… “A big trade we made didn’t work out, and you know, we’re all suffering from that. Kevin, I thought, really did a great job of rallying the troops last week at a really critical time. You find out about leaders when things are bad, not when they’re good, and he did a good job last week.
Those comments suggest that owner Jimmy Haslam still trusts his head coach. But the pressing question remains: for how long?
No team can afford to keep repeating the same mistakes year after year without learning from them. This season’s quarterback situation has only deepened the chaos. The veterans once brought in, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, are gone, leaving rookie Dillon Gabriel as the starter. Unfortunately, he has failed to deliver.
As for Shedeur Sanders, he’s still not being considered, though reports suggest he could soon get his chance if Gabriel’s struggles continue. He was listed as injured for this game.
There’s no doubt the Browns need a major shake-up, but for now, it seems Jimmy Haslam is unwilling to make it happen.
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