One of the worst franchises in NFL history when it comes to decision-making is undoubtedly the Cleveland Browns. Year after year, they commit countless errors, and even their few successes are ultimately overshadowed by the historically poor decisions they’ve made. Another such misstep may soon involve head coach Kevin Stefanski.
There’s no doubt Kevin Stefanski is one of the best coaches in the NFL – even while coaching the Browns. He was named Coach of the Year in both 2020 and 2023. In 2020, he also led Cleveland to its first playoff win in 26 years, with Baker Mayfield as quarterback.
Mayfield was discarded by the Browns and is now finding success and stability with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Meanwhile, in 2022, Cleveland signed Deshaun Watson – essentially replacing Mayfield – giving him $230 million fully guaranteed. The result has been a total failure, and it now seems very unlikely Watson will ever play for the franchise again.
ESPN Issues Bold Prediction About Kevin Stefanski
Right now, all the buzz surrounding the Cleveland Browns is due to the show called Shedeur Sanders. Whatever team picks up Shedeur tends to generate media frenzy – and that’s exactly what’s happening in Cleveland. Perhaps that’s part of the reason why 31 other NFL teams passed on him, despite his being considered a first-round talent.
Currently, there are four quarterbacks competing for the Browns’ starting job: Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. The Browns are coming off a 3-14 season, and expectations for 2025 are equally low – according to a projection by ESPN.
Using a metric designed to best predict a team’s future performance, ESPN analyst Seth Walder projected the Browns to be the third-worst team in the NFL. (Last year, they were the second-worst.)
“The Browns are the most likely team to end the season with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, with a 13% chance. Much of that has to do with a quarterback room consisting of Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders, along with a tougher-than-average schedule.”
On the downside, if this prediction comes true, we could be witnessing Kevin Stefanski’s final season as head coach of the Cleveland Browns – which would be yet another major mistake by the franchise. Stefanski would quickly become a highly sought-after coach for other teams.
On the bright side, the Browns could be in position to draft Arch Manning (if he declares for the NFL) or Drew Allar, the Penn State quarterback who is reportedly heavily linked to Cleveland.
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