The Cleveland Browns emerged as one of the best NFL teams in 2020, ending one of the longest playoff droughts led by first-year coach Kevin Stefanski. A few years later, Stefanski and the Browns are entering a critical 2023 season.
Stefanski was named AP Coach of the Year in 2020, achieving immediate success after previously serving as the Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator. Cleveland went 11-5 under its first season with Stefanski and won its first playoff game since 1995.
- Kevin Stefanski coaching record: 26-24 in regular season, 1-1 in playoffs
After a promising start, the Browns have collapsed in the last two seasons. Cleveland went 7-9 in 2021, with Baker Mayfield taking a step backward and Stefanski’s offense regressing. While Cleveland acquired Deshaun Watson in 2022, he served a suspension and the team finished last in the AFC North.
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It’s all culminated in an aggressive offseason for the Browns. Cleveland acquired wide receiver Eliaj Moore and signed Dalvin Tomlinson, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Juan Thornhill in NFL free agency. While it puts more pressure on Stefanski’s team to deliver a playoff appearance, that doesn’t appear to be a requirement for the coach’s job security.
Speaking to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Browns’ owner Jimmy Haslam said there is no ultimatum for Stefanskin in 2023. While Cleveland is focused on competing for the playoffs, a third consecutive season without a postseason appearance wouldn’t guarantee Stefanski’s firing.
“I don’t want to say that, but I think that we have expectations to go to the playoffs. But I’m not going to say if we don’t make the playoffs, X, Y, Z happens because that’ll be the headline tomorrow. Listen, the AFC is tough. You’ve all been around. Our division is tough.”
Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam on 2023 expectations, coach Kevin Stefanski
It’s not unsurprising that Haslam wouldn’t put Stefanski under public pressure to win now. Despite declining support for the Browns’ coach from the fan base, nothing would be gained from stating to reporters that the head coach’s job is in jeopardy.
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Haslam did want Stefanski to make changes this offseason, objectives that were met early this spring. Cleveland is expecting Watson to perform at a higher level in 2023 after struggling last season following a year away from football.
If the Browns don’t make the playoffs, though, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Stefanski is fired. Cleveland signed its head coach to a five-year contract in 2020 and the last year of the deal would be relatively affordable for the franchise to fire him next spring if the team didn’t make the playoffs.
