Analyst Places Browns Coach on Surprising List
The Cleveland Browns suffered a disappointing season in 2024 with a 3-14 mark, after a playoff appearance in 2023.
There were many factors out of the control of the coaching staff, such as poor play and injuries to key players, but in a results-driven league, none of that matters.
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The Haslams could've moved on from coach Kevin Stefanski after last season, and no one would've batted an eye. But they remain patient, maybe because of Stefanski's resume with the Browns.
ProFootballFocus' Dan Wasserman placed Stefanski at No. 10 on his list of the league's top 10 returning coaches in 2025.
"Stefanski has dealt with a cascade of issues in Cleveland, particularly surrounding the Deshaun Watson trade and subsequent contract extension," Wasserman wrote. "However, the two-time NFL Coach of the Year deserves respect as someone who gets his team to compete regardless of the circumstances. Stefanski broke the Browns' long playoff drought in 2020 and picked up the franchise's first playoff win since reentering the league in 1999. He also led a surge to the postseason in 2023 with Joe Flacco as his quarterback from Week 14 onward.
"Stefanski has proven he can succeed if given even adequate offensive tools. The team just needs to provide him with that to complement its excellent defense."
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The 43-year-old is a two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year and remains the only Browns coach this century to win a postseason game, and just the second since 2000 to receive a contract extension after Romeo Crennel in 2008.
He's also just the second Browns coach to lead the team to multiple postseason appearances since Marty Schottenheimer.
But with a 40-44 overall record after five seasons, some are questioning his future in the City of Light.
Next season could prove to be a make-or-break one for Stefanski in Cleveland.
Related: Ex NFL Wideout Solves Browns Quarterback Dilemma
Related: Browns' Diontae Johnson's Role Unclear in Offense
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
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